Photo by AWESM Lab camera trap
Project Team
Graduate Students
Research Technicians
- Teagan Stanstedt
- Elyana Pollard
Collaborators
- Andrew Little
- Sarah Sonsthagen
- Mark Vrtiska
- Michael Chamberlain (University of Georgia)
- Adam Ahlers (Kansas State University)
Main goals of the project:
Characterize mesopredator presence in southwestern Nebraska and determine what factors influence mesopredator occupancy.
Why is this research needed?
Mesopredator communities are greatly influenced by habitat and landscape type. Therefore, a change in habitat is likely going to result in a change within predator communities. One expected change we might see is overspill predation; when, due to a change in available habitat, predators begin using areas outside of their typical home range. Nebraska being a state that has experienced a lot of change overtime, it is important to evaluate what factors today are influencing mesopredator occupancy.
How will this research help?
This research is expected to provide a predictive framework for mesopredator occupancy by habitat and landscape type. Mangers can utilize this information when making habitat and predator management decisions. We can also better inform and educate landowners and stakeholders on habitat as a form of predator management.