PS 43-71 - A survey of mammalian diversity along the Bronx River

Background/Question/Methods

Urban greenspaces are critical habitats for biodiversity. Specifically, sources of freshwater are important for sustaining mammalian species richness. In New York City and adjacent Westchester County, the Bronx River and its surrounding greenspaces are thought to be important habitats for mammalian species diversity. Despite the importance of urban greenspaces for sustaining mammalian diversity, little is known about mammalian species distribution along the Bronx River. The aim of this study was to survey mammalian diversity along the Bronx River and to assess how (1) geographic location, (2) land cover, and (3) human population density impact mammalian species richness. We surveyed mammalian diversity along the 36-km transect of the Bronx River over a one-year period by using motion-activated wildlife cameras deployed at 3-km intervals.

Results/Conclusions

We found that mammalian species richness was higher in Westchester County, a suburban and lightly developed landscape, than New York City, a heavily urbanized landscape. Moreover, mammalian species richness was lower in watershed habitats surrounded by more developed land cover than watershed habitats surrounded by less developed land cover. Likewise, mammal species richness was higher in sites with relatively low human population densities. The results of this research suggest that the degree of anthropogenic disturbance might have profound impacts on mammalian diversity. Moreover, as the Bronx River is New York City’s only freshwater river, this study can be helpful for guiding conservation planning and habitat restoration.