Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

5-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Richard J. Kline

Second Advisor

Dr. John H. Young Jr.

Third Advisor

Dr. Alejandro Fierro-Cabo

Abstract

The effects of road mortality mitigation structures on rodent activity and rodent community composition are not fully understood, both on the regional scale of south Texas and in the broader field of road ecology. This is primarily due to the low conservation priority of most rodent species and the difficulty of noninvasively surveying for rodents effectively. This thesis focused on characterizing how rodents were impacted by both roads and mitigation structures in south Texas, and if rodents are a significant factor to consider when studying the road ecology of rodent predators in south Texas, particularly ocelots, bobcats (Lynx rufus), and coyotes (Canis latrans). The results indicated that detected rodent communities were significantly impacted by both road effects and mitigation structures. And rodent activity at WCS was not a significant factor for predator detections, but increased rodent activity near roads was a factor that could have been influencing predator activity.

Comments

Copyright 2023 Adam F. Sanjar. All Rights Reserved.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/road-mitigation-structure-effect-zone-impacts-on/docview/2844453719/se-2?accountid=7119

Download

Included in

Biology Commons

Share

COinS