Habitat Selection by Small Mammals in a Restored Wetland System
Abstract
Wetland habitat loss has occurred throughout the United States resulting in a 53 percent loss by the 1980s. Due to this, governmental agencies and private organizations are working to restore wetland habitat. One such organization, Little River Wetlands Project, undertook one of the largest wetland restoration projects in Northeast Indiana. After the restoration project was completed in 2009, a biodiversity survey was conducted to inventory the species present. However, after the survey took place in 2014, no further monitoring of the small mammal community has been conducted at this restored wetland system. Diversity and abundances of small mammals in a restored wetland system were assessed to determine if a wetland restoration can host small mammal communities found in the region. Additionally, microhabitat characteristics were collected to ascertain their effects on habitat selection by small mammals. Four species of small mammals were captured including Microtus pennsylvanicus, Blarina brevicauda, Peromyscus leucopus, and Zapus hudsonius. A total of 110 individuals were caught during the three trapping cycles in five macrohabitats throughout Eagle Marsh. Microtus pennsylvanicus was the most abundant species with 61 captures while Z. hudsonius was the least abundant with one capture. Significant positive correlations were found between B. brevicauda abundance and organic litter depth and DBH. There were no significant correlations between M. pennsylvanicus nor P. leucopus abundances and microhabitat variables. Finding these species viii throughout Eagle Marsh confirms their life history traits as habitat generalists but demonstrates the need for continued monitoring of small mammals at Eagle Marsh.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Kingsbury, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Biology
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