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Mink and Raccoon Use of Wetlands as Influenced by Wetland and Landscape Characteristics in Central Ohio
| Title: | Mink and Raccoon Use of Wetlands as Influenced by Wetland and Landscape Characteristics in Central Ohio |
| Author: | Lung, Joni M. |
| Description: | The goal of this study was to assess mink (Mustela vison) and raccoon (Procyon lotor) use of wetlands relative to wetland and adjacent landscape characteristics in central Ohio. Track plate stations were set at 25 m intervals along 125 - 225 m transects at six study areas in central Ohio. Predator lure was placed in the center of track plates, which were made of 71 x 71 cm sheets of aluminum coated with black carpenter�€™s chalk. Track plates were examined daily for tracks during two survey periods, a Multi-season and Spring Survey. Usage by mink and raccoon at each wetland was quantified with an index of percent visitation of plates per transect per night for each species. One camera station was established at each study area to assess the use of passive infrared digital cameras for detection of mink and raccoon. The Ohio Rapid Assessment Method (ORAM) wetland score, maximum water depth and average buffer width around the wetland were recorded for each study area. Distance to stream (perennial and intermittent), percent canopy cover, human population, and number of households were calculated with GIS software. Mink were observed at four out of six study areas with percent visitation during the Multi-season (8.0, 5.7, 3.1, 2.4%) and Spring (18.8, 12.5, 7.5, 5%) survey. Raccoon presence was detected at all six study areas with percent visitation during the Multi-season (42.4, 38.1, 36.4, 19.2, 11.4, 8.9%) and Spring (42.5, 31.3, 21.9, 12.5, 11.2, 7.5%). Mink were negatively correlated with human population (p=0.05) during the Multi-season Survey and negatively correlated with distance to nearest stream (p=0.05) during the Spring Survey. No significant correlations were found between raccoons and habitat characteristics. Mink were not recorded with cameras on any of the six study areas in either survey period, but raccoons were recorded at all six study areas. High raccoon densities may decrease the resolution of visitation rates as an indicator of wetland use, whereas lower mink densities may increase the resolution of visitation rates to detect changes in use. Mink appear to avoid the lowest quality wetlands and those wetlands located far from riparian areas. |
| Permanent Link: |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1218600551
http://hdl.handle.net/2374.OX/107234 |
| Date: | 2008 |
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