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University
Shawnee State University
Major
Biology
Presentation Types
Oral Presentation
Keywords:
Discarded containers, mammalian mortality
Abstract
Investigation of Casual Factors Underlying Mammalian Mortality in Discarded Containers
Improperly discarded containers are attractive to wildlife and contribute to their mortality. Reasons underlying the attraction may be multifactorial. What is not clear is why certain mammals, once inside, are unable to escape. Our study seeks to identify factors that increase the likelihood of mortality in containers by monitoring a series of established transects mimicking normal human littering activity. Specifically, we are investigating the influence of container parent material (type), opening size, widest diameter, container length, angle of opening in relation to the terrestrial surface, internal surface and air temperature, humidity accumulation, and the influence of residues. Thirteen distinct container types are arranged in a paired system in each of four transects, established in two different habitat types. Trail cameras capture activity noninvasively. Measurements, including those listed, will be taken between once to three times weekly over the course of a year.
Human Subjects
no
Faculty Mentor Name
Sarah Minter
Faculty Mentor Title
Associate Professor of Biology
Faculty Mentor Academic Department
Natural Sciences
Recommended Citation
Parsley, Katelyn, "Investigation of Causal Factors Underlying Mammalian Mortality in Discarded Containers" (2021). Celebration of Scholarship. 3.
https://digitalcommons.shawnee.edu/cos/2021/day3/3
Investigation of Causal Factors Underlying Mammalian Mortality in Discarded Containers
Investigation of Casual Factors Underlying Mammalian Mortality in Discarded Containers
Improperly discarded containers are attractive to wildlife and contribute to their mortality. Reasons underlying the attraction may be multifactorial. What is not clear is why certain mammals, once inside, are unable to escape. Our study seeks to identify factors that increase the likelihood of mortality in containers by monitoring a series of established transects mimicking normal human littering activity. Specifically, we are investigating the influence of container parent material (type), opening size, widest diameter, container length, angle of opening in relation to the terrestrial surface, internal surface and air temperature, humidity accumulation, and the influence of residues. Thirteen distinct container types are arranged in a paired system in each of four transects, established in two different habitat types. Trail cameras capture activity noninvasively. Measurements, including those listed, will be taken between once to three times weekly over the course of a year.