Date of Award

Fall 1995

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biological Sciences

Program/Concentration

Biology

Committee Director

Robert K. Rose

Committee Member

John R. Holsinger

Committee Member

Frank P. Day, Jr.

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.B46 S6284

Abstract

Two tidal marsh sites were selected for live trapping of small mammals on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Trap grids were established at site and animals were trapped and tagged each month for one year. Habitat variables were measured at the peak of the growing season and again in late winter when vegetation was at its least luxuriant. ANOVA and multiple regressions were used to analyze the relationships between rice rats and meadow voles and associated variables related to habitat structure.

ANOVA revealed where rice rats and meadow voles differed in habitat preferences. Meadow voles were consistently captured in association with significantly thicker and taller vegetation than were rice rats. Percent herbaceous vegetation, percent woody vegetation and litter depth, in particular, pointed out between-species habitat preferences. Although both research sites were somewhat different from each other, the results were very similar. At each site, habitat variables contributing to structural density were consistently important in determining the distribution of the two species.

The multiple regression analysis revealed which components of habitat structure contributed most to the distribution of the two species. Habitat variables that contributed the most to distribution patterns were percent herbaceous vegetation and percent woody vegetation, but litter depth and distance from the forest edge also contributed to distribution patterns. Habitat variables that contributed to density in some way were the most important in determining which species will be present.

The results of this study indicated that a relationship exists between habitat structure and the distribution of rice rats and meadow voles. This relationship is dynamic and changes with season and population level, and is more clear-cut when population levels are low.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/g4n5-qc45

Download

Share

COinS