Publication Date

Fall 12-3-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biology (MS)

Department

Biology

Committee Chair

Amede Rubio

Committee Member

Cord Eversole

Committee Member

Daniel Mott

Committee Member

Kenneth Tobin

Abstract

Conservation paradigms have shifted from single to multi-species approaches for assessing and conserving mammalian populations and the habitats that they occupy. The effect of wind turbine development is an important anthropogenic change to study due to the increasing demand for wind energy in Texas. In this study, I gathered remote camera trap data on medium and large-sized mammal populations in south Texas Tamaulipan thornscrub habitat. The objectives were to determine species presence, the effect of habitat characteristics and anthropogenic disturbances on species occupancy, and the effect of temperature on species detection. The results showed that distance from wind turbines did not have the strongest effect on mammal occupancy. Site occupancy for the majority of species was influenced by the habitat covariates of percentage canopy area and plant height. Colder monthly temperatures had the greatest influence on species detection. Species detection probabilities were lowest in the final-construction season of the study. These results provide greater insight on how medium and large-sized mammal populations in south Texas respond to wind energy development.

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