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

2. 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, EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation

3. 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, EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 3

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

5. 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, EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 5

6. 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, EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 6

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

8. 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, EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 8

9. 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, EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 9

10. 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, Web. 15 Apr Paliwoda, Megan. Snowshoe Hare Behavior in Different Environments. Winter Ecology Site Database. University of Colorado, Web. 15 Apr
Liam Burke
15 April, EBIO 4100 – Final Project Presentation 9