Field Ecology Presentation

The effect of human activity on squirrels in

State CollegeAn observational study conducted by:

Nicholas Blaine Wassam (Undergraduate Student, The Pennsylvania State University)

Eastern Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinesis Active during morning Can be found in various habitats

◦ Rural areas ◦ Urban areas

Background

http://images.northrup.org/picture/xl/grey-squirrel/eastern-grey-squirrel-in-grass.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sciurus_carolinensis_range_map.svgInnes and Lavigne, 1978

State College Area has varying levels of human activity◦ Parks and small woodland areas◦ Downtown State College◦ Penn State University Campus

Background

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EPDvrCIZi9g/S8vf1sQotFI/AAAAAAAACrk/RMrUPWYFU-k/s1600/DSC_3445_crop_tag_small.jpghttp://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/state-of-retail-in-state-college-college-avenue-683670/http://www.maxkade.psu.edu/OldMain1.jpg

Interactions between humans and squirrels Different levels of human activity and

development Approach distance of the squirrels

Introduction

http://neuroanthropology.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/squirrel-human.jpg

Hypothesis and Expectations of the study Squirrel Activity

◦ Decrease with increase in human development◦ Decrease with increase in human activity

Approach Distance◦ Decrease with increase in human activity

Expectations

http://lindachorney.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/elmer-j-fudd.jpg

Observe 4 plots◦ Wooded area near Walnut Springs◦ HUB lawn ◦ Across the Street from McLanahans◦ Corner of College Ave and High Street

Each plot was 10m by 10m◦ Had varying amounts of pavement

Methods

Observe for 10 minutes at a time◦ Record the number of:

Squirrels Humans and Vehicles

Approach distance when a squirrel was spotted in plot◦ Approach and observe distance

Observations normally made between 10am and 12pm

Made note of weather and behaviors

Methods

Approach distance was classified by a 0-5 scale:◦ 0 = Less than 5 ft◦ 1 = 5 ft◦ 2 = 5-10 ft◦ 3 = 10 ft◦ 4 = 10-15 ft◦ 5 = 15 or more ft

Methods

Results

1 2 3 40.0000.2000.4000.6000.8001.0001.2001.4001.6001.8002.000

f(x) = 5.53846153846155 exp( − 1.03450917072602 x )R² = 0.987292915556876

Average Number of Squirrels at Four Locations of Study

Average # of SquirrelsExponential (Average # of Squirrels)

Location Number

Aver

age

Num

ber

of S

quirr

els

1 2 3 40.000

5.000

10.000

15.000

20.000

Average Human Activity at Four Locations of Study

Total Humans

Location Aver

age

Num

ber

of H

uman

s an

d Ve

hicl

es

Results

1 2 3 40

0.51

1.52

2.53

3.54

4.55

Average Categorical Approach Distance of Squirrels at Four

Locations

Categorical Spook Dis-tance

Location NumberAver

gae

Cate

goric

al A

ppro

ach

Dis

tanc

e

One-way ANOVA: Squirrels versus Location Source DF SS MS F PLocation 3 24.077 8.026 10.10 0.000Error 48 38.154 0.795Total 51 62.231 S = 0.8916 R-Sq = 38.69% R-Sq. (adj) = 34.86%

ResultsOne-way ANOVA: Distance versus Location Source DF SS MS F PLocation 3 8.84 2.95 1.66 0.200Error 27 48.00 1.78Total 30 56.84 S = 1.333 R-Sq. = 15.55% R-Sq. (adj) = 6.17%

Results show that:◦ Location does effect squirrel activity◦ Location does not effect approach distance◦ Human activity does not effect approach distance

Reasons:◦ Less habitat◦ Adapted to human activity and presence

Discussion

My hypotheses:◦ Squirrel Activity

Decrease with increase in human development Decrease with increase in human activity

◦ Approach Distance Decrease with increase in human activity

Relation to hypotheses:◦ Squirrel activity did decrease◦ Activity had no effect on approach distance

Discussion

Big Picture◦ The presence of humans

Future Directions◦ Adolescent vs adults◦ Native vs Non-native◦ Similar to the lizard study by Dr. Langkilde

Conclusions

http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/lizards/eastern-fence-lizard/sp_eastern%20fence%20lizard%20(Sceloporous%20undulatus)001.jpg

Questions?