Habitat/corroidor Use Between Forest and Farm

Here is the draft of our research proposal. It's still a work in progress both conceptually and grammatically, so you English teachers out there, don't throw a fit:

Project Proposal:

ENED 890

Question:

Can mammal presence and absence be determined in three specific transects: woodland, farmland, and the interface of these two ecosystems? Using our data, can we determine which species prefer/need one ecosystem, and which are utilizing multiple habitats?Are there patterns in corridor use, and can we distinguish corridor preference?

Objectives:

1. Learn most common mammals, and signs of mammal presence on the interface between Barrington Headwaters and the Warren Farm property.

2. Locate corridors and identify the species of mammals using them.

3. Distinguish what factors make the corridors favorable for travel (landscape topography and vegetation, prey species, cover etc).

4. Provide knowledge for predicting presence and absence of specific species per habitat.

5. Create a report of mammals present and what habitat and resources they are using.

Hypothesis:

The existence or absence of certain types of topography, cover and prey species present will affect/influence the usage of specific habitats, and by specific species.

Rational:

It is helpful to establish mammal habitat and resource needs for the conservation of forest and agricultural ecosystems for future management in an increasingly fragmented landscape.It also helps establish a general knowledge about the loss of biodiversity when an ecosystem is disturbed.

Procedure:

1. Acquaint ourselves with the areas of study.

2. Interview landowner (Mr. Warren), to learn oral history of animal presence on property interface.

3. Establish 100 m line transects ~10m buffer (1 per habitat type).

4. Identify mammal signs

5. Lay mud and soot traps for tracks.

6. Set motion-sensor camera trap

7. Plaster casts of mammal tracks for data collection

8. Identify the topography and vegetation per transect area.

9. Measure and map used corridors.

Materials:

Plaster of Paris, sand, track and scat guides, GPS, map of the Warren Farm and Barrington Headwaters, satellite information, journal, camera, camera traps, rakes and buckets, measuring tape and flags.