SUNY ESF
Mammalian Winter Ecology
Mammalian Winter Ecology
(EFB 484/684) - 3 credits
Instructor
Stacy A. McNulty (SAM)
Adirondack Ecological Center
6312 State Route 28N, Newcomb, NY 12852
smcnulty@esf.edu
Course Description
Lectures will discuss identification, natural history, behavior, physiology and ecology of mammals. Adaptations enhancing over winter survivorship of mammals in northern environments will be emphasized. Laboratory will employ live-trapping-mark-recapture methods applied to small mammals. Evaluation of students is based on 1) participation in classroom and field experiences, 2) oral critique of a scientific article on winter adaptations, 3) proficiency in a written final examination and 4) maintenance of a field journal.
Course Objectives
Students will learn field techniques associated with ecology and population processes of mammals. Proficiency will be gained in observational techniques of large mammals and live capturing and identifying small mammals inhabiting the Adirondack Mountains of New York. In addition, students will become familiar with concepts in small mammal ecology, activity patterns, population processes, habitat requirements and adaptations that enhance winter survivorship of mammals residing in northern environments. Experience gained in oral presentation of a scientific article will help acquaint students with guidelines for presentations at national and international meetings of scientific "societies."
Schedule
February Weekend
Friday
- Afternoon
Lecture - Welcome, introduction and organization of course (SAM)
Field Activity- Trip to a beaver lodge (SAM, NK) - Evening
Lecture - Mammals of the Adirondacks - Part 1 (CLD)
Saturday
- Morning
Lecture - Track identification primer (CLD)
Field Activity - Track identification at Newcomb AIC (SAM, CLD, NK)
Lecture - Movements of white-tailed deer (SAM) - Afternoon
Lecture - Protocol for trail cameras and snow morphology measurements (SAM, CLD, NK)
Field Activity- Trail camera set up and snow morphology measurements at group study sites - Evening
Lecture - Mammals of the Adirondacks - Part 2 (CLD)
Sunday
- Morning
QUIZ - Taxonomy of ADK Mammals
Lecture - Winter ecology of white-tailed deer (SAM)
Field Activity - Field trip to winter deer yard (SAM, CLD, NK) - Afternoon
Depart for Syracuse
March Week
Sunday
- Afternoon
Lecture - Welcome and organization of week (SAM)
Lecture - Protocol for studying activity of small mammals (CLD)
Field Activity - Establish live-trapping sites and snow morphology measurements (SAM CLD, NK) - Evening
Lecture - Introduction: Adaptations to cold (thermoregulation and energy balance) (SAM)
Field Activity - Set live traps and snow measurements
Monday
- Morning
Field Activity - Monitor live traps and snow measurement
Lecture - Fun Flaky Facts (CLD)
Lecture - Torpor and Hibernation (SAM) - Afternoon
Lecture - Bears in the ADKs (S. Tabor)
Lecture - Body size, insulation, appendages and coloration (SAM) - Evening
Lecture - Behavior (nests , social thermoregulation, caching and subnivean foraging) (SAM)
Field Activity - Set live traps and snow measurements
Tuesday
- Morning
Field Activity - Monitor live traps and snow measurements
Lecture - Moose in the ADKs (NK)
Field Activity - Snow shelter construction - Afternoon
Lecture/Field Activity- American Marten in the Adirondacks (P. Jensen - DEC)
Field Activity - Snow shelter construction continued - Evening
Grad Student Oral presentations (20 minutes each)
Field Activity - Set live traps and snow measurements
Wednesday
- Morning
Field Activity - Monitor live traps and snow measurements - conclude small mammal trapping
Lecture - Increase in thermogenic capacity (SAM) - Afternoon
Field Activity - Retrieve trail cameras/snow measurements
Lecture - Richness and diversity indices (SAM) - Evening
Oral presentations (15 minutes each)
Thursday
- Morning
Lecture - Coyotes in Adirondacks (NK)
Field Activity - Hot Potato Hot Potato - Afternoon
Lecture - Bats of Adirondacks and the implications of white-nosed syndrome (C. Herzog DEC)
Lecture - Social thermoregulation of least shrews (JFM) - Evening
Oral presentations (15 minutes each)
Friday
- Morning
Lecture - Natural History of Porcupines - Morning/Afternoon
Field Activity - Snowshoe to Coney Mountain and visit Wild Center - Evening
TBA
Saturday
- Morning
Final examinations (Lecture and Laboratory)
Students depart (noon)