Faculty Sponsor
Aimee Dunlap
Final Abstract for URS Program
The Ozark glades are home to a variety of reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and invertebrates such as tarantulas and scorpions. Glade inhabitants face challenges like habitat fragmentation and degradation, but they could be facing even bigger challenges as outdoor recreation becomes more popular. People looking for wildlife to photograph or collect often look under rocks without leaving them how they were found. This study focused on monitoring rock disturbance at two protected glades- Shaw Nature Preserve and a more accessible undisclosed glade in Jefferson County. Disturbing the glade habitat to look for wildlife is prohibited at both sites. Twenty rocks at each site were chosen at random and monitored from June to October of 2024. During each visit we measured the amount of displacement and biodiversity under each rock. The rocks were all left in the positions they were found. At the end of the study, we determined that the biodiversity under disturbed rocks was less than undisturbed rocks. This could mean that wildlife prefers rocks that have not been displaced. In addition, the glade in Jefferson County had a higher percentage of rocks moved by the end of the study than at Shaw Nature Preserve. Disturbance was evident at both sites, indicating that people are looking under the rocks without replacing them correctly, regardless of local rules. Visitors to the glades might not realize the impact they could have on wildlife when they disturb these rocky habitats.
Presentation Type
Visual Presentation
Document Type
Article