Simon et al. 2024. Mammals prefer forest habitat over cut habitat at Blind Brook Forest Restoration Area
By Marley Simon (primary author), Anabela Taveira, Kacy Reinhardt, Dr. Allyson Jackson
Abstract
Land development can threaten and disturb local wildlife by dividing their habitat into fragments. To assess the harm done to mammal populations of Blind Brook Forest in Westchester, New York, we set up trail cameras in a recently cut area of the forest and an undisturbed old growth area of the forest. When comparing our observations, we find that local mammals clearly prefer using the undisturbed forest to the meadow resulting from development. Despite the fragmentation, though, we found many unexpected species that signal a healthy ecosystem. We are eager to restore the cut area and prevent further development in order to keep the environment stable.