Trail Effects on Squirrel and Snow Shoe Hare Density Liam Burke Trail Effects on Squirrel and Snow Shoe Hare Density by Liam Burke

Introduction and Background: Snow Shoe Hare Run Faster Through Open Environments (Megan Paliwoda, EMEN 4100) Density of Snow Shoe Hare Tracks 1/3 Over Trails (Bryan Horsley, EMEN 4100) Trails Can Cause Displacement and Avoidance in Wildlife Species (US Forest Service) Liam Burke: Introduction and Background: Snow Shoe Hare Run Faster Through Open Environments by Megan Paliwoda, Density of Snow Shoe Hare Tracks 1/3 Over Trails by Bryan Horsley, and Trails Can Cause Displacement and Avoidance in Wildlife Species by the US Forest Service 15 April, 2017 EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation

Question: How Does Trail Type, Animal Type, and Distance from Trail Effect Squirrel and Snow Shoe Hare Tracks? Null Hypothesis: No relationship between Animal Track Density and Trail Type, Distance, Animal Type Alternate Hypothesis: Density of Animal Tracks effected by Distance, Trail Type, Animal Type, or any Combo Liam Burke: Question: How do several trail factors effect animal track density? Null Hypothesis: No relationship between Animal Track Density and Trail Type, Distance, Animal Type, Alternate Hypothesis: Density of Animal Tracks effected by Distance, Trail Type, Animal Type, or any Combo 15 April, 2017 EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 3

Track Identification: Liam Burke: Distinctive Hare Tracks, about 35 cm long, 20 cm wide, change with speed Distinctive Squirrel “Diamond” Tracks, 15 cm length, 10-15 cm wide Squirrel Hare 15 April, 2017 EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 4

Method: TRACK 10x 50 Meter Transects Every 5 Meters Both Sides of Trail Count Number of Tracks Crossed “Road” Data, “Trail” Data 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Limitations Do Not Account for Continuity Small Area Covered “FAR” “MID” “CLOSE” TRACK Liam Burke 15 April, 2017 EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 5

Results: Tracks Clear in “Fresh” Snow Low Track Count: 0 Mostly Near to Trail High Track Count: 5 Clump of Squirrel Tracks SH Control Trials: Road 1: 2 Road 2: 4 Trail 1: 3 Trail 2: 2 Liam Burke 15 April, 2017 EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 6

Analysis: Three – Way ANOVA in MATLAB Using ANOVAN Function: 7 Liam Burke 15 April, 2017 EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 7

Conclusion: Greater than 95% Probability (P < 0.05) -- Reject Null Hypothesis: Trail Type, Distance has Effect on Track Density Interaction Between Trail Type, Animal; Trail Type, Distance Less than 95% Probability (P > 0.05) – State NO Conclusion: Animal Type on Track Density Interaction Between Animal Type and Distance, All Three Liam Burke 15 April, 2017 EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 8

Further Tests: Deeper Study into Each Statistically Relevant Trail Effect Quantify Trail Impact “Width” Study Relationship Between Trail Type and Animal Broader Study with More Trials, Larger Area Liam Burke 15 April, 2017 EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 9

Sources: United States of America. Department of Interior. US Forest Service. Assessing the Cumulative Effects of Linear Recreation Routes on Wildlife Habitats on the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests. By William L. Gaines, Peter H. Singelton, and Roger C. Ross. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. Horsley, Bryan. Trail Effects on the Abundance of Snowshoe Hare and Red Squirrel Along the Sourdough Trail in Winter. Winter Ecology Site Database. University of Colorado, 2016. Web. 15 Apr. 2017. Paliwoda, Megan. Snowshoe Hare Behavior in Different Environments. Winter Ecology Site Database. University of Colorado, 2016. Web. 15 Apr. 2017. Liam Burke 15 April, 2017 EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 9