We quantified the habitat characteristics associated with capture sites (2003–2006) of the state endangered northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) in Pennsylvania to develop management recommendations that help ensure its continued persistence in the Appalachians. In addition, we used this refined understanding of northern flying squirrel habitat to update the Pennsylvania Gap analysis model for this species. We examined habitat at both the landscape and local level and determined that northern flying squirrels preferred sites that contained mature (>95 y old) mixed coniferous forests and were adjacent to a permanent water source. In addition, sites where northern flying squirrels were captured contained significantly more overstory trees (all species), saplings and rock cover. After using these data to refine the Pennsylvania Gap model for northern flying squirrels, we reduced the primary or core habitat predicted for this species in the state by 90%. Our findings further support the reliance of this species on specialized habitat in the Appalachians and help reinforce the need to conserve and manage mature mixed-coniferous forest stands, which are threatened by exotic pests and human development throughout the region.
We describe a short (<50 minutes) activity using news articles from sources such as Science Daily to teach students the steps of the scientific method and the difference between primary and secondary literature sources. The flexibility in choosing news articles to examine allowed us to tailor the activity to the specific interests of our student group. This exercise is particularly useful in situations where there is no laboratory component to a course, the time devoted to teaching the scientific method is constrained, or the topic is not presented adequately in the textbook utilized for the course.
ABSTRACT Students in an undergraduate independent study course at Penn State Altoona investigated the use and potential effects of chemical deicers on the water quality of the stream that runs through the campus. Spring Run supports a wild trout population and is a tributary of the Little Juniata River and a headwater stream for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Students collected pre- and post- chemical deicer application water samples from Spring Run stream over four sampling dates. Water samples were analyzed for potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), dissolved oxygen, pH, chloride (Cl−) and ammonia as nitrogen (NH3−). None of the parameters sampled exceeded the standard guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. However, this study found cause for future research, particularly as it relates to the concentration of chloride in stream water. Chloride exhibited significant increases in concentration between pre- and post-deicer application. With the exception of one sampling date, chloride concentrations (19.2–63.7 mg/L) fell within the range of concentrations found in streams in the northeast United States that have been contaminated by rock salt inputs. The learning outcomes and skill development objectives of this field-intensive experience were driven by the assumption that this type of field-based educational experience enhances student learning by contextualizing complex geographical processes better than a solely classroom-based experience. Through the research process students were exposed to working with field techniques, GPS, GIS, datasets and statistics.
Baylisacaris procyonis is a roundworm that is tolerated by its primary host, raccoons (Procyon lotor). However, this roundworm can be fatal to intermediate mammalian hosts and may be a contributing factor to population declines of the endangered, Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister). We used fecal flotation to determine the prevalence of B. procyonis eggs in raccoon scat found in locations that overlap with where woodrats persist in the mid-Atlantic. We determined that B. procyonis was present at two extant woodrat colonies in Maryland and Pennsylvania. We expect woodrat populations at these sites to decline, if the roundworm and other factors (e.g., forest fragmentation) are not alleviated.
We compared age- and sex-class structure between two populations of eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) occupying study plots within uncut (reference) and managed (fragmented) forest sectors in central Pennsylvania from 1992–1995. In addition, we compared reproductive condition, weight and length of time chipmunks remained on study plots between the two populations. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in age class, sex class or reproductive condition between the populations occupying each sector. Chipmunks remained on plots in both uncut and managed forest sectors for an average of 2.2 and 2.3 mo, respectively. Weights of individual chipmunks did not differ (P > 0.05) between the two populations and averaged 81.5 g. Chipmunks in both populations, however, weighed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) less in 1993 following a poor acorn crop in 1992 than in other years. Although eastern chipmunks primarily inhabit mature eastern deciduous forests, fragmentation had no apparent influence on the demography of populations of this sciurid.
The trill vocalization is given by eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) when being pursued by a predator. To examine the adaptive significance of this vocalization, we assessed the effects of sex, age, and distance from the burrow on the occurrence of the call. Chipmunks were released either 10 or 100 m from their burrow and chased by an experimenter to simulate a terrestrial predator. We found that adult females trill more often when released 10 m from their burrow (67% of 24 chases) than when released 100 m from their burrow (14% of 21 chases). Adult males, on the other hand, showed no significant difference in their probability of trilling based on the distance from their burrows (45% of 20 chases at 10 m and 55% of 20 chases at 100 m). Adult females trilled more than adult males when released 10 m from their burrow (67% compared with 45%) but less than males when released 100 m from their burrow (14% compared with 55%). Juvenile females only trilled when released 10 m from their burrows (45% of 11 chases), and juvenile males did not trill at all. We attributed sex, age, and location differences in giving the trill vocalization to the effects of kin selection on antipredator behavior.
There is growing evidence that populations of the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) are declining in the eastern United States, perhaps due to competition with the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). Potential causes include parasite-mediated or apparent competition from the shared intestinal nematode, Strongyloides robustus, which has been shown to detrimentally affect the northern flying squirrel but not the southern flying squirrel. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted a preliminary study on the parasite community of both flying squirrel species from sites in Pennsylvania where the two species occur sympatrically and where G. sabrinus is now considered endangered at the state level. We compared these parasite communities with those from northern flying squirrels from northern New York where the southern flying squirrel is absent. We found eight species of gastrointestinal parasites (Pterygodermatites peromysci, Lemuricola sciuri, Syphacia thompsoni, Syphacia spp., Capillaria spp., Citellinema bifurcatum, Strogyloides robustus, and an unidentifiable cestode species) in both species of flying squirrels examined for our study. The parasite-mediated competition hypothesis was partially supported. For example, in Pennsylvania, S. robustus was overdispersed in southern flying squirrels, such that a small proportion of the hosts carried a large proportion of the worm population. In addition, we found S. robustus to be present in northern flying squirrels when the species were sympatric, but not where southern flying squirrels were absent in New York. However, there was no association between S. robustus and the body condition of flying squirrels. We detected a potential parasite community interaction, as S. robustus abundance was positively associated with P. peromysci.
Several epidemiological studies suggest an inverse relationship between fiber intake and colon cancer risk. Animal model studies indicate that this inhibitory effect depends on the source of dietary fiber. Because of the potential significance of certain colonic mutagens and secondary bile acids in the pathogenesis of colon cancer, the effect of types of supplemental fiber on fecal mutagens and bile acids was studied in human volunteers. Seventy-two healthy individuals consuming high-fat/moderately low-fiber diets were screened for fecal mutagenic activity using the Ames Salmonella typhimurium/microsomal assay system. Twenty-one of them were found to excrete high levels of mutagens, and 19 of them were recruited for the diet intervention study. All participants provided two 24-h stool specimens and a 4-day food record while consuming their normal (control) diet. They were then asked to consume the control diet plus 10 g of dietary fiber from wheat bran, oat fiber, or cellulose for 5 wk. After each fiber period, they were asked to consume their control diet. At the end of each fiber and control diet period, each subject provided two 24-h stool specimens. Stool samples were analyzed for bile acids and mutagens using the Ames strains TA98 and TA100 with or without S9 (microsomal) activation. The concentrations of fecal secondary bile acids (deoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid, and 12-ketolithocholic acid) and of fecal mutagenic activity in TA98 and TA100 with and without S9 activation were significantly lower during the wheat bran and cellulose supplementation periods. Oat fiber supplementation had no such effect on these fecal constituents. Thus, the increased fiber intake in the form of wheat bran or cellulose may reduce the production and/or excretion of mutagens in the stools and decrease the concentration of fecal secondary bile acids in humans.
Many eastern forest communities depend on fire for regeneration or are enhanced by fire as a restoration practice. However, the use of prescribed fire in the mesic forested environments and the densely populated regions of the eastern United States has been limited. The objective of our research was to develop a science-based approach to prioritizing the use of prescribed fire in appropriate forest types in the eastern United States based on a set of desired management outcomes. Through a process of expert elicitation and data analysis, we assessed and integrated recent vegetation community mapping results along with other available spatial data layers into a spatial prioritization tool for prescribed fire planning at Shenandoah National Park (Virginia, USA). The integration of vegetation spatial data allowed for development of per-pixel priority rankings and exclusion areas enabling precise targeting of fire management activities on the ground, as well as a park-wide ranking of fire planning compartments. We demonstrate the use and evaluation of this approach through implementation and monitoring of a prescribed burn and show that progress is being made toward desired conditions. Integration of spatial data into the fire planning process has served as a collaborative tool for the implementation of prescribed fire projects, which assures projects will be planned in the most appropriate areas to meet objectives that are supported by current science.
