University
Shawnee State University
Major
Biology
Student Type
Undergraduate Student
Presentation Types
Poster Group Presentation (Live)
Keywords:
biodiversity, Ohio, caves, surveys
Abstract
Biodiversity is vital for ecosystem health and our quality of life, making biodiversity surveys crucial to assess ecosystem health, monitor species, and identify threats. We conducted a biodiversity survey among three caves in the Ohio Hanging Preserve, Scioto County, Ohio, across three seasons, also measuring abiotic and ecological factors influencing biodiversity.
The study involved three five-week sampling periods: fall (Oct–Nov 2024), winter (Jan–Feb 2025), and upcoming spring (Mar–Apr 2025), totaling 15 sampling events. Weekly procedures included identifying mammal tracks, setting small mammal traps, conducting herpetology surveys, collecting invertebrates, measuring soil temperatures, and recording weather.
To date, Peromyscus spp. were captured at each cave. Game cameras revealed Odocoileus virginianus and Sciurus carolinensis as common species. Salamander species Desmognathus fuscus and Eurycea cirrigera, and invertebrates in families Carabidae, Culidae, Araneae, and Diplopoda were also recorded. Data from all seasons will be reviewed in April 2025 to understand biodiversity in these cave habitats.
Human and Animal Subjects
no
IRB or IACUC Approval
no
Faculty Mentor Name
Sarah Ivers
Faculty Mentor Title
Professor of Biology
Faculty Mentor Department
Natural Sciences
Second Faculty Mentor
Erik Larson
Second Faculty Mentor Title
Professor of Geology
Second Faculty Mentor Department
Natural Sciences
Recommended Citation
Lewis, Reagan and Davis, Cameron P., "A Comparison of Baseline Biodiversity Among Three Caves at Ohio Hanging Rock Preserve, Scioto County, OH" (2025). Celebration of Scholarship. 4.
https://digitalcommons.shawnee.edu/cos/2025/posters/4
Location
Morris UC Lobby
A Comparison of Baseline Biodiversity Among Three Caves at Ohio Hanging Rock Preserve, Scioto County, OH
Morris UC Lobby
Biodiversity is vital for ecosystem health and our quality of life, making biodiversity surveys crucial to assess ecosystem health, monitor species, and identify threats. We conducted a biodiversity survey among three caves in the Ohio Hanging Preserve, Scioto County, Ohio, across three seasons, also measuring abiotic and ecological factors influencing biodiversity.
The study involved three five-week sampling periods: fall (Oct–Nov 2024), winter (Jan–Feb 2025), and upcoming spring (Mar–Apr 2025), totaling 15 sampling events. Weekly procedures included identifying mammal tracks, setting small mammal traps, conducting herpetology surveys, collecting invertebrates, measuring soil temperatures, and recording weather.
To date, Peromyscus spp. were captured at each cave. Game cameras revealed Odocoileus virginianus and Sciurus carolinensis as common species. Salamander species Desmognathus fuscus and Eurycea cirrigera, and invertebrates in families Carabidae, Culidae, Araneae, and Diplopoda were also recorded. Data from all seasons will be reviewed in April 2025 to understand biodiversity in these cave habitats.
