Advisor Information
James Fawcett
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
3-3-2017 12:30 PM
End Date
3-3-2017 1:45 PM
Abstract
Glacier Creek Preserve, located in Bennington, Nebraska, is dedicated to restoring land to native prairie. Restoration at Glacier Creek Preserve began in 1970. Over the years, the preserve has acquired more land, as well as acquiring more habitat diversity. This research is the first to look at the community dynamics of herpetofauna in the preserve. The sampling areas were determined by choosing seven random sites to represent the following habitats, (1) prairie, (2) non-prairie, (3) prairie burned in 2014, and (4) prairie burned in 2016.
Data sampling occurred from April 2016 to October 2016 and from February 2017 to March 2017. Preliminary statistics showed that there were no statistically significant differences of species diversity between the compared sites (i.e., prairie versus non-prairie and burned prairie versus unburned prairie). The low sample numbers are a possible explanation as to why there were no significant differences between habitat types and treatments. It is recommended that there be future studies with long-term sampling periods to detect changes in species diversity and relative abundance at these sites within Glacier Creek Preserve.
Species Diversity and Relative Abundance of Reptiles and Amphibians at Glacier Creek Preserve
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Glacier Creek Preserve, located in Bennington, Nebraska, is dedicated to restoring land to native prairie. Restoration at Glacier Creek Preserve began in 1970. Over the years, the preserve has acquired more land, as well as acquiring more habitat diversity. This research is the first to look at the community dynamics of herpetofauna in the preserve. The sampling areas were determined by choosing seven random sites to represent the following habitats, (1) prairie, (2) non-prairie, (3) prairie burned in 2014, and (4) prairie burned in 2016.
Data sampling occurred from April 2016 to October 2016 and from February 2017 to March 2017. Preliminary statistics showed that there were no statistically significant differences of species diversity between the compared sites (i.e., prairie versus non-prairie and burned prairie versus unburned prairie). The low sample numbers are a possible explanation as to why there were no significant differences between habitat types and treatments. It is recommended that there be future studies with long-term sampling periods to detect changes in species diversity and relative abundance at these sites within Glacier Creek Preserve.