Kayla Burt-Flying squirrels presentation
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Transcript of Kayla Burt-Flying squirrels presentation
RiparianRiparian Zone Retreat Zone Retreatand population studiesand population studies
Kayla BurtKayla Burt
H Biology IIH Biology II
Period 1Period 1
Niche of Flying SquirrelsScientific name: Depending on the species: Pteromys or Glaucomys
• Can most likely find them in White Spruce and Birch trees. They make their nests out of dried leaves, moss, shredded bark, feathers, fur and conifer leaves.
• Are omnivores- eat baby birds/ eggs, lichen, tree buds, berries, and fresh fungi.
• Predators-great horned owls, hawks, goshawks, martens, and three types of
fleas infesting a single squirrel.
• The flying squirrel is nocturnal, so it hunts at night. Flying squirrels do not actually fly. They have a flap of skin connected from an ankle to the wrist. When they leap, they stretch themselves out, expanding the flap and glide to their destination. They can usually glide about 200 feet.
Factors which Affect Birth Rate of Assigned Animal
• Flying squirrels usually mate in late January-early February, they may also mate in late summer, but it depends on the species.
• The Flying Squirrel mates once or twice a year.
• The gestation period varies between species of the Flying Squirrel.
• The size of the species depends on the habitat and species.
Factors Which Affect the Death Rate of Assigned Animal
• Predator-prey relationship: squirrels eat bird eggs, berries, fresh fungi. Great horned owls, hawks, and fleas attack flying squirrels.
• They live 10-12 years
• The main parasite that harms squirrels are fleas. Mites and ticks can also be found, but they are not as common.
• Overpopulation would mean that there are more flying squirrels and not enough food. This would cause the squirrels to eventually run out of food and die. The shortage of squirrels would affect other organisms that eat them and so on.
Food Chain of Assigned Organism
Producer
Autotroph
Berries
Primary Consumer
Omnivore
Flying Squirrel
Secondary Consumer
Carnivore
Hawk
Tertiary Consumer
Omnivore
Human
The berries are the producers. The flying squirrel (an omnivore and primary consumer) then eats the berries. The squirrel is then consumed by a hawk ( secondary consumer and carnivore), which is consumed by the tertiary consumer/ omnivore, a human.
Food web of Assigned Organism
The mushroom, a decompser eats everything after it dies. Flying squirrels eat berries fresh fungi and bird eggs. The flea attacks a dog and a flying squirrel.
Omnivore
Carnivore
Decomposer
Omnivore
Producers
OmnivoreCarnivore
Population Sampling Techniques
• By tagging animals, professionals can figure out how large or small a population is. Mark and recapture, predator- prey technique.
• By studying and keeping track of nests and such, ecologists keep track of the population of flying squirrels
Stream Quality Data & AnalysisStream Quality Data & Analysis
• The stream is in very good condition
• There is a significant number of class I organisms, lower number of class II organisms which is still good, and the smallest number of class III organisms.
• The stream keeps organisms alive who feed off of organisms in the stream which the flying squirrel then eats.
• It would be an unhealthy stream. Most of the good organisms would be gone, and the flying squirrel may have to relocate to find food.
Water Testing Data & AnalysisWater Testing Data & Analysis
• Having a very large nitrate level is harmful to water. The PHs are all very good for a healthy stream. It is best to have low on no phosphates and nitrates.
• PH- 6.5-7.5, Low dissolved oxygen but not none, Nitrates and phosphates should be low or none.
• Flying squirrel would survive by the streams by eating smaller animals that feed off of creatures in the stream.
• A lower temperature allows for more oxygen into the water. We want a neutral amt of oxygen. Turbidity affects predator-prey relationships and also the well being of fish and other organisms living in the stream.
Soil Testing & AnalysisSoil Testing & Analysis• PH, potash, phosphorus, and
nitrogen can all result in either a healthy or unhealthy environment. If there are too many nitrates and phosphates, the plants will not be able to grow.
• PH- neutral potash should be high phosphorous and nitrogen should be low
• If there are too many nitrates or phosphates and can disable plants to grow which can effect the organisms that eat them, and the organisms that eat those organisms
Positive and Negative Factors• The stream and marsh are important because it is the home of many organisms that help keep the food chain going. The flying squirrel feeds off other organisms whose food source may be fish.
•Because the soil conditions are very rich in nutrients and in good condition, there will be many plants/berries and such for the squirrels to live off of.
• AMD affects streams and soil, it damages the PH, nitrate and phosphate level and can affect how organisms interact with each other (perdator-prey, and daily activities)
Conclusion
• Describe something new you learned about the ecosystem.
• One thing I found interesting is that flying squirrels do not actually fly! They GLIDE!
• I think it would be interesting to research the weasel.
Works Cited
•Techalive.mtu.edu•www.ctic.purdue.edu•Epa.gov•Encyclopedia.com•Sewanee.edu