Santa Cruz Island Reserve

12 May, 05 AM - 14 May, 07 AM

During the fall semester of 2004 and the spring semesters of 2005 and 2006, students traveled to Santa Cruz Island to collect samples of leaf litter invertebrates. These samples were analyzed to determine if feral pigs contribute towards habitat degradation and detrimental effects on the local invertebrate community. The analysis was based on a comparison between samples from open areas and samples from the insides of plots which were protected from intrusion by pigs. The preliminary results of the fall analysis in 2004 showed that there was little statistical significance between the open and closed plots. However, the data from the samples collected in the springs of 2005 and 2006 indicates a fairly significant difference between the abundance and diversity of invertebrates in the two areas. The primary research goal of this research trip is to continue the collection of leaf litter invertebrates and build on the existing analysis in terms of comparing abundance and diversity between the open and closed plots. This analysis would allow us to quantify the effect of pig populations on Santa Cruz Island's leaf litter invertebrate assemblages.

Visit #12357 @Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 8141 | Research

The Effect of Feral Pig Foraging Activities on the Leaf Litter Invertebrate Community

faculty - Occidental College

Reservation Members(s)

Elizabeth Braker May 12 - 14, 2007 (3 days)
Group of 4 Undergraduate Student May 12 - 14, 2007 (3 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Dorm 5 May 12 - 14, 2007
Jeep 5 May 12 - 14, 2007
Pickup Truck 5 May 12 - 14, 2007
Private Room 5 May 12 - 14, 2007