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The effect of human activity on squirrels in
State CollegeAn observational study conducted by:
Nicholas Blaine Wassam (Undergraduate Student, The Pennsylvania State University)
Eastern Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinesis Active during morning Can be found in various habitats
◦ Rural areas ◦ Urban areas
Background
http://images.northrup.org/picture/xl/grey-squirrel/eastern-grey-squirrel-in-grass.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sciurus_carolinensis_range_map.svgInnes and Lavigne, 1978
State College Area has varying levels of human activity◦ Parks and small woodland areas◦ Downtown State College◦ Penn State University Campus
Background
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EPDvrCIZi9g/S8vf1sQotFI/AAAAAAAACrk/RMrUPWYFU-k/s1600/DSC_3445_crop_tag_small.jpghttp://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/state-of-retail-in-state-college-college-avenue-683670/http://www.maxkade.psu.edu/OldMain1.jpg
Interactions between humans and squirrels Different levels of human activity and
development Approach distance of the squirrels
Introduction
http://neuroanthropology.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/squirrel-human.jpg
Hypothesis and Expectations of the study Squirrel Activity
◦ Decrease with increase in human development◦ Decrease with increase in human activity
Approach Distance◦ Decrease with increase in human activity
Expectations
http://lindachorney.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/elmer-j-fudd.jpg
Observe 4 plots◦ Wooded area near Walnut Springs◦ HUB lawn ◦ Across the Street from McLanahans◦ Corner of College Ave and High Street
Each plot was 10m by 10m◦ Had varying amounts of pavement
Methods
Observe for 10 minutes at a time◦ Record the number of:
Squirrels Humans and Vehicles
Approach distance when a squirrel was spotted in plot◦ Approach and observe distance
Observations normally made between 10am and 12pm
Made note of weather and behaviors
Methods
Approach distance was classified by a 0-5 scale:◦ 0 = Less than 5 ft◦ 1 = 5 ft◦ 2 = 5-10 ft◦ 3 = 10 ft◦ 4 = 10-15 ft◦ 5 = 15 or more ft
Methods
Results
1 2 3 40.0000.2000.4000.6000.8001.0001.2001.4001.6001.8002.000
f(x) = 5.53846153846155 exp( − 1.03450917072602 x )R² = 0.987292915556876
Average Number of Squirrels at Four Locations of Study
Average # of SquirrelsExponential (Average # of Squirrels)
Location Number
Aver
age
Num
ber
of S
quirr
els
1 2 3 40.000
5.000
10.000
15.000
20.000
Average Human Activity at Four Locations of Study
Total Humans
Location Aver
age
Num
ber
of H
uman
s an
d Ve
hicl
es
Results
1 2 3 40
0.51
1.52
2.53
3.54
4.55
Average Categorical Approach Distance of Squirrels at Four
Locations
Categorical Spook Dis-tance
Location NumberAver
gae
Cate
goric
al A
ppro
ach
Dis
tanc
e
One-way ANOVA: Squirrels versus Location Source DF SS MS F PLocation 3 24.077 8.026 10.10 0.000Error 48 38.154 0.795Total 51 62.231 S = 0.8916 R-Sq = 38.69% R-Sq. (adj) = 34.86%
ResultsOne-way ANOVA: Distance versus Location Source DF SS MS F PLocation 3 8.84 2.95 1.66 0.200Error 27 48.00 1.78Total 30 56.84 S = 1.333 R-Sq. = 15.55% R-Sq. (adj) = 6.17%
Results show that:◦ Location does effect squirrel activity◦ Location does not effect approach distance◦ Human activity does not effect approach distance
Reasons:◦ Less habitat◦ Adapted to human activity and presence
Discussion
My hypotheses:◦ Squirrel Activity
Decrease with increase in human development Decrease with increase in human activity
◦ Approach Distance Decrease with increase in human activity
Relation to hypotheses:◦ Squirrel activity did decrease◦ Activity had no effect on approach distance
Discussion
Big Picture◦ The presence of humans
Future Directions◦ Adolescent vs adults◦ Native vs Non-native◦ Similar to the lizard study by Dr. Langkilde
Conclusions
http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/lizards/eastern-fence-lizard/sp_eastern%20fence%20lizard%20(Sceloporous%20undulatus)001.jpg
Questions?
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