Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


osu1222187943.pdf (1.58 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Population Ecology of Badgers (Taxidea taxus) in Ohio

Duquette, Jared F.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1222187943

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Natural Resources.
There is a paucity of information concerning badger ecology on the eastern extent of the species range. To fill these knowledge gaps, this study focused on assessing certain aspects of badger ecology in areas dominated by agricultural use in Ohio and west central Illinois. Badger state-wide badger distribution in Ohio was determined through the collection of badger observations using a publicity campaign. Overall, 387 badger observations were collected: unconfirmed reports were most numerous (43%), followed by probable (32%), and confirmed (25%). Relatively few observations were recorded until the early 1990s when they began to increase, and sharply increased during the 3-year study period. Badgers were recorded in 56 counties, but most (>99%) of observations were found in 53 counties above the glacial line. Multi-scale spatial ecology and habitat use was evaluated using radiotelemetry data for badgers in Ohio (n = 5) and Illinois (n = 14) and an independent set of badger observations in Ohio. Mean 95% FK annual home ranges in Illinois were larger than in Ohio, but mean 50% FK annual home ranges did not differ between states. Mean 95% FK annual home ranges for males were larger in Illinois than in Ohio; however, male 50% FK and both female annual home ranges did not differ between states. Both male home range sizes did not differ from females in Ohio, but 95% and 50% FK were larger for males than females in Illinois over annual periods and during the rearing season; the 95% FK was also larger for males than females in Illinois during the breeding season. Badgers in both states selected agricultural habitat within their home ranges, and linear grassland and wetland-associated habitats within the study area landscape. Ohio badger observations showed badger occurrence was associated with interspersed blocks of agriculture and linear grassland habitats. The habitat-relative abundance of badgers in Ohio was determined through an independent set of badger observations and core home range habitat use. Badger occurrence was associated with interspersed small blocks of agriculture and linear grassland habitats. The model determined that 51% of the state contained likely badger occurrence, 13% intermediate occurrence, and 36% unlikely occurrence. The greatest likelihood of occurrence was mainly in the northwest, southwest, and north central regions of the state. Population demography and diet were evaluated through the collection and necropsy of badger carcasses (n = 46) from 2005 to 2008. Diet data from 25 badgers showed small mammals were predominately the main prey items. Mean age of 38 badgers was 1.63 years and categorically consisted of 34% young-of-year, 16% sub-adults, and 50% adults. Fecundity was 0.302 with a mean litter size of 2.17 and 31.6% occurrence of parous females, which included 2 known age young-of-year. The base population model with a starting population of 500 females increased (λ = 1.032) gradually after 20 years, but a 4.5% harvest indicated a sharp decline. Badger young-of-year survival appeared to be an important factor for influencing population growth rate, as lower estimates caused substantial population declines over a 20-year time period.
Stanley Gehrt (Advisor)
Darla Munroe (Committee Member)
Amanda Rodewald (Committee Member)
158 p.
Ecology
badger; Taxidea taxus; Ohio; Illinois; home range; observations; modeling; multi-scale

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Duquette, J. F. (2008). Population Ecology of Badgers (Taxidea taxus) in Ohio [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1222187943

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Duquette, Jared. Population Ecology of Badgers (Taxidea taxus) in Ohio. 2008. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1222187943.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Duquette, Jared. "Population Ecology of Badgers (Taxidea taxus) in Ohio." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1222187943

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1222187943
1,424
© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.