The response of small mammals to habitat characteristics at different spatial scales

The primary goal of this research was to investigate how small mammals use and interact with characteristics of their habitat, at various spatial scales. This goal was accomplished by studying the species richness and abundance of small mammals, and by assessing the movement patterns of a common small mammal, the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Trapping, using both Sherman live traps and pitfall traps, was used to determine the species richness and abundance of small mammals in various forested areas. Movement pathways of the eastern chipmunk were obtained by fluorescent powdering or spool-and-line tracking of individuals. Pathways were photographed and digitized so the movement patterns could be quantified using measures such as the fractal dimension, mean turning angle, total/net displacement, and radius of gyration. To examine how patterns of movement were affected by habitat features, these pathway quantifiers were related to various habitat descriptors. Fractal analysis was used to examine if there were spatial scales at which chipmunks showed transitions in their movement behaviour. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).