An examination of shrub and animal density-dependent interactions in desert ecosystems

The proposed project is to determine if shrub and animal densities in Desert ecosystems are related to one another. This will be done by looking at the total number of Shrub individuals in a given area (Breaking up into high, medium, low and no shrub sites) and recording the total animals that are found in the site. Animal encounters will be seen through Camera Trap recordings, Walking a transect (Straight line) near the site and finally sitting for an hour and observing each site. It is expected that a higher density of shrubs in a given area will be associated with a higher density of animals in that area and that there will be a greater richness of animal species with higher shrub densities.

Faculty Supervisor:

Chris Lortie

Student:

Partner:

University of California, Santa Barbara

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Education

University:

York University

Program: