Environmental preferences of the Oregon Forestsnail
Way, Ryan (author) Ransome, Douglas (thesis advisor) Ransome, Douglas (chair) Cohen-Fernandez, Anayansi (committee member) British Columbia Institute of Technology School of Construction and the Environment (Degree granting institution) Simon Fraser University Faculty of Environment (Degree granting institution)
Research paper/project
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ © Ryan Way, 2024. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
British Columbia Institute of Technology
2024-04-23
28 pages
Snails play crucial roles in forest ecosystems, aiding in soil creation, seed dispersal, and fungal spore distribution. The Oregon Forestsnail, imperiled in Canada, exhibits habitat preferences, notably favoring Stinging Nettle-rich environments. This study investigated environmental factors influencing snail presence in Colony Farm Regional Park, British Columbia. This study preformed searches and studies of a number of plots to find the number of snails and the environmental factors in those plots. Results showed a strong correlation between snail abundance and Stinging Nettle coverage, suggesting its importance as habitat. Relative humidity significantly impacts snail activity, with higher humidity correlated with increased snail presence. Soil moisture may influence snail behavior, with the difference in soil moisture during a drought potentially showing impacts on the number of snails found. Thatch thickness, while showing a positive trend, lacked significance in determining snail presence. These findings seek to inform conservation efforts, highlighting the significance of preserving moist habitats with abundant Stinging Nettle for the survival and expansion of Oregon Forestsnail populations.
Oregon Forestsnail stinging nettle humidity thatch thickness
Ecological Restoration Program
electronic
Master of Science
