The Amazing Mammals Of Fernhill Wetlands: Native vs. Invasive
Introduction
Mammals are very important to Fernhill. If many mammals live there, that is a good sign! Beavers are the most common mammals at Fernhill. A mammal is a warm-blooded creature that can range from cats, to humans, to whales. They also have fur, and breathe air. Fernhill Wetlands, in Forest Grove Oregon, underwent a big restoration in the fall, of 2014. The restoration is hoping to clean waste water more naturally. We think it is important to be studying what kinds of mammals live there, because that can tell us, whether or not they like Fernhill Wetlands as a habitat.
Mammals are very important to Fernhill. If many mammals live there, that is a good sign! Beavers are the most common mammals at Fernhill. A mammal is a warm-blooded creature that can range from cats, to humans, to whales. They also have fur, and breathe air. Fernhill Wetlands, in Forest Grove Oregon, underwent a big restoration in the fall, of 2014. The restoration is hoping to clean waste water more naturally. We think it is important to be studying what kinds of mammals live there, because that can tell us, whether or not they like Fernhill Wetlands as a habitat.
Research Question & Hypothesis
- The mammal group is trying to find out if they're more invasive mammals then native, (or the other way around.)
- We predict that there will be more invasive mammals, because for natives, it is just a migration truck stop.
Methods
Materials:
Procedures:
1. Conduct an overall survey of Fernhill Wetland by walking along the paths and looking for signs that mammals have been here. This might include:
2. When you find something, record it on your data sheet. Try to identify what creature it came from.
Take a picture, and add the number to your map in the right location.
3. If you find a muddy area with a lot of potential animal tracks, use the hula hoop to find key species. Place the hula hoop over an area with tracks, and record everything you can: measure the track, draw it, measure the distance between tracks, etc. (We did not use this method because our group was able to inendify everything without this method.)
4. Collect data during three different times of the year. We collected data in early November, February, and May.
- Identify scat, tracks, burrows, trails
- Hula hoops (we did not use this method)
- January: plaster, tracking boxes (we did not use this method)
Materials:
- ID books: mammals, invasives, tracks
- Map, clipboard, pencils, data sheet
Procedures:
1. Conduct an overall survey of Fernhill Wetland by walking along the paths and looking for signs that mammals have been here. This might include:
- Tracks
- Trails (crushed grass paths)
- Scat
- Shelter: Burrows, nests, beaver lodges
- Food: Chewed beaver sticks, empty nut shells
2. When you find something, record it on your data sheet. Try to identify what creature it came from.
Take a picture, and add the number to your map in the right location.
3. If you find a muddy area with a lot of potential animal tracks, use the hula hoop to find key species. Place the hula hoop over an area with tracks, and record everything you can: measure the track, draw it, measure the distance between tracks, etc. (We did not use this method because our group was able to inendify everything without this method.)
4. Collect data during three different times of the year. We collected data in early November, February, and May.
Results
February Report
At Fernhill wetlands, we found many signs of beavers. We discovered a lot of beaver chew and it was fresh! That means they were probably there just before we stopped by, to investigate. Some of our evidence of beavers: a beaver chew, a lot beaver scat and a lodge with fresh tracks nearby There was many beaver dams, where we were. We found signs of the beaver pretty much everywhere, but mostly at the west side of the bridge, Eagles Scout Crossing and Dabblers Marsh. There were many more signs of beavers compared to November. We found more than 20 signs of beavers compared to November. In November, we found a couple signs. We also found a good amount of mice under the critter boards the other group put down, to find things next time. It was so fun seeing those mice scurrying around on the ground.
Many people probably didn't know that the Nutria lived at Fern Hill. Erin found one in the water, swimming, and we found a Nutria trap!
At Fernhill wetlands, we found many signs of beavers. We discovered a lot of beaver chew and it was fresh! That means they were probably there just before we stopped by, to investigate. Some of our evidence of beavers: a beaver chew, a lot beaver scat and a lodge with fresh tracks nearby There was many beaver dams, where we were. We found signs of the beaver pretty much everywhere, but mostly at the west side of the bridge, Eagles Scout Crossing and Dabblers Marsh. There were many more signs of beavers compared to November. We found more than 20 signs of beavers compared to November. In November, we found a couple signs. We also found a good amount of mice under the critter boards the other group put down, to find things next time. It was so fun seeing those mice scurrying around on the ground.
Many people probably didn't know that the Nutria lived at Fern Hill. Erin found one in the water, swimming, and we found a Nutria trap!
Conclusion
Our hypothesis was incorrect we found more native mammals than invasive. We found 5 invasive mammals and 21 native mammals. Our results are good news for the wetlands reconstruction because there are a lot of signs of mammals. This tells us the reconstruction efforts aren’t driving the animals away, and that it’s providing habitat. There could have been errors in our study. For example doing more visits could provide better data, our presence could have scared away mammals, although we found plenty of signs. We could have misidentified these signs. This study should continue to see if native mammals continue to thrive at Fernhill.
Reflection
The mammal research project was fun, interesting and challenging. The best part was having the relief that our research was finished. We were challenged by finding evidence and correctly identifying what we saw.. However, we learned a lot about mammals. The project should be continued because we are teaching others about the restoration of Fernhill.
The mammal research project was fun, interesting and challenging. The best part was having the relief that our research was finished. We were challenged by finding evidence and correctly identifying what we saw.. However, we learned a lot about mammals. The project should be continued because we are teaching others about the restoration of Fernhill.