Is there a difference in species movement between the trails and the power line right-of-way at Fairfield Osborn Preserve?

Abstract

Pacific Gas and Electric have a priority when building power lines, even on protected nature preserves. The right-of-ways created from these power lines impact the land and consequently, the species living in that environment. The difference in species movement was examined by comparing images from two different Bushnell wildlife cameras at Fairfield Osborn Preserve and recording the species frequency. We are using this observational study and the data collected to conclude whether the power line right-of-way at FOP is impacting the wildlife in any way.

To address our research question we obtained camera images from April 2015 to July 2016 to analyze from two different wildlife cameras located on the preserve. These motion-activated, night-vision cameras were placed either on the trail or the right-of way. After recording photo number, species type, date, time, and temperature in an excel document we created a bar graph as a visual representation and then conducted a chi-square homogeneity test. The purpose of this test is to compare the distributions of one variable in two or more populations. After determining our null and alternative hypotheses and proving all the assumptions were met by our data, we used the statistical software program SPSS to conduct the test and receive a p-value for which we based our conclusions off of.

Results

Key Terms: Camera trap, wildlife corridor, fox, deer, squirrel, opossum, rabbit, bobcat, turkey, rights-of-way