Habitat Use of Mesocarnivores at Different Spatial Scales in the Nebraska Sandhills
Presenter Type
UNO Graduate Student (Masters)
Major/Field of Study
Biology
Advisor Information
Dr. James A. Wilson
Location
MBSC302 - G (Masters)
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
24-3-2023 9:00 AM
End Date
24-3-2023 10:15 AM
Abstract
Although some mesocarnivore species native to Nebraska are considered habitat generalists, it is valuable for wildlife managers to understand the geospatial scale at which small to medium-sized opportunistic carnivores use their habitats. An appropriate location to study habitat use of these animals is the exceptionally biodiverse Sandhills region in northcentral Nebraska where six ecosystem types merge. We will survey the Nebraska Sandhills for approximately 20 months from October 2021 to May 2023 using remote trail camera stations set up to target plains spotted skunks (Spilogate putorius interrupta) and other mesocarnivores such as coyotes (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus), American badgers (Taxidea taxus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and opossums (Didelphis virginiana). We will collect data from March through May 2023 on the habitat features and the greater habitat types at each camera station. Our objectives are to determine how mesocarnivores use the Sandhills at the landscape or macrohabitat scale (grassland, forest, riparian) and microhabitat scale (site characteristics or features) using multivariate analysis. Findings from this study will contribute to the few data available on mesocarnivore species in the Sandhills, contribute to statewide plains spotted skunk survey efforts, and improve management recommendations by potentially identifying habitat types and features important to mesopredators.
Key words: mesocarnivores, microhabitat features, macrohabitat types, Sandhills, multivariate analysis
Scheduling
9:15-10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m.-Noon
Habitat Use of Mesocarnivores at Different Spatial Scales in the Nebraska Sandhills
MBSC302 - G (Masters)
Although some mesocarnivore species native to Nebraska are considered habitat generalists, it is valuable for wildlife managers to understand the geospatial scale at which small to medium-sized opportunistic carnivores use their habitats. An appropriate location to study habitat use of these animals is the exceptionally biodiverse Sandhills region in northcentral Nebraska where six ecosystem types merge. We will survey the Nebraska Sandhills for approximately 20 months from October 2021 to May 2023 using remote trail camera stations set up to target plains spotted skunks (Spilogate putorius interrupta) and other mesocarnivores such as coyotes (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus), American badgers (Taxidea taxus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and opossums (Didelphis virginiana). We will collect data from March through May 2023 on the habitat features and the greater habitat types at each camera station. Our objectives are to determine how mesocarnivores use the Sandhills at the landscape or macrohabitat scale (grassland, forest, riparian) and microhabitat scale (site characteristics or features) using multivariate analysis. Findings from this study will contribute to the few data available on mesocarnivore species in the Sandhills, contribute to statewide plains spotted skunk survey efforts, and improve management recommendations by potentially identifying habitat types and features important to mesopredators.
Key words: mesocarnivores, microhabitat features, macrohabitat types, Sandhills, multivariate analysis