Document Type
Thesis
Publication Date
12-13-2012
Abstract
Introduction
White-tailed deer are abundant in the DePauw Nature Park. There are many deer trails located in forested areas in the park. The goal of our research was to assess the relationship between the amount of deer trails and the abundance of deer.
Hypotheses
We hypothesized that more deer would be photographed by cameras located in areas with the most deer trails.
Methods
We conducted our research in two forested areas, Quarry Hillside and Quarry South, in the DePauw Nature Park. We randomly selected five plots in each area. We mapped each deer trail and measured the length, width, and area of trails. We placed cameras next to deer trails in four of the five plots in each area.
Results
There were significantly more deer trails in the plots in Quarry South than Quarry Hillside. There was no significant difference in the number of photographs of deer between Quarry South and Quarry Hillside. There was no relationship between the area of deer trails and the frequency of deer photographed by the cameras.
Recommended Citation
Faulkenberg, Amanda, "Assessing the Human Impact Deer Frequency and Activity In the DePauw University Nature Park" (2012). Student Research. 657, Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/studentresearchother/657
Comments
Completed as part of Professor Dana Dudle's Conservation Biology class, BIO 345, Biology Department, DePauw University Spring semester 2012.
Project Partner: Caitlin Cleary