Allegany State Park Research Articles

Food processing by animals: do beavers leach tree bark to improve palatability?

Beavers store and consume tree parts in the bodies of water where they live. We examined whether such soaking renders food more palatable by leaching out undesirable compounds. In experiment 1, saplings of red maple, Acer rubrum (RM), were first soaked in a pond for periods of 2, 18, and 36 days, then offered to free-ranging beavers. Soaking for two days rendered RM slightly more acceptable to beavers. To further examine the time window around two days, RM sticks were soaked in distilled water in the laboratory for 1, 2, 4, and 6 days before presenting them to beavers (experiment 2). In experiment 3, twigs of three species were placed on land. Beavers placed RM in the water for 1 to 3 days before consuming the twigs. In experiment 4, sticks were provided in the water at Cranberry Lake Biological Station (CLBS). Most quaking aspen (QA) was consumed during the first night, and most witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana (WH), during the third night. At Allegany State Park (ASP), no such difference was found. Twigs were provided in the water in experiment 5. At ASP, WH was taken after three days in the water, and at CLBS little WH was consumed, and only during the third night. A meta-analysis of all experiments shows that relatively more WH is consumed after two days than any other species. Experiment 6 traced the time beavers left their own harvested branches in the water. Unlike other tree species, WH remained in the water for two to four days before being consumed. Experiment 7 measured the phenolics leached into water from RM twigs and small pieces of bark soaked for 10 and 8 days, respectively. Shredded bark lost 50-60% of leachable phenolics into the water, and twigs 70-80%. We conclude that beavers can use water to leach undesirable compounds from their food. Although this effect was not robust, our study is the first of its kind.

Seasonal variation in stable oxygen and carbon isotope values recovered from modern lacustrine freshwater mollusks: paleoclimatological implications for sub-weekly temperature records

A fingernail clam (Sphaerium simile, Sphaeriidae) from Science Lake, a small watershed located in Allegany State Park, New York, USA and a zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha, Dreissenidae) from Keuka Lake, New York, the third largest Finger Lake of central New York, were selected to evaluate the applicability of using δ 18 O(CaCO3) and δ 13 C(CaCO3) values for sub-weekly climate records. Seasonal variation in δ 18 O(CaCO3) values was compared with predicted equilibrium values to test the hypothesis that lacustrine molluscs produce shell aragonite according to environmental variables. For the purpose of comparison, aragonite temperature-fractionation equations determined by Grossman & Ku (1986) and Patterson et al. (1993) were used. Sphaerium simile appears to produce δ 18 O(CaCO3) values predicted by Patterson et al. (1993), while Dreissena polymorpha produces δ 18 O(CaCO3) values in agreement with Grossman & Ku (1986). We attribute the difference to family-specific temperature-fractionation relationships. Because both types of mollusc record climate variables with a high degree of integrity, they should each serve as excellent paleoclimate proxies. The fingernail clam collected from a small watershed exhibits higher variation about the seasonal pattern than did the zebra mussel collected from a large watershed. This is attributed to the increased sensitivity of the small watershed to storm perturbation. Analysis of fossil molluscs from such watersheds might be useful in discerning paleo-storminess.

Dispersal pattern and effective population size of the beaver

The dispersal pattern of the beaver (Castor canadensis) was studied by intensive livetrapping, tagging, and observation in Allegany State Park and its vicinity in New York from 1984 to 1996. The majority (74%) of dispersing beavers (n = 46) initiated dispersal in a downstream direction after spring ice-out. Females dispersed significantly farther away from their natal colonies than males (10.15 ± 2.42 (SE) km vs. 3.49 ± 0.86 km). Movements to neighboring sites were common (16 of 46 dispersers), indicating that beavers, especially males, may prefer to disperse to the nearest available sites. Most (64%) natal dispersers were 2-year-olds. Three-year-olds also constituted a considerable proportion (21%) of the dispersers, but 1-year-old dispersers were relatively rare (14%). Many adults underwent secondary dispersal after successful natal dispersal in our study area. Male secondary dispersers were more inclined to take over neighboring sites than were male natal dispersers (10 of 13 vs. 3 of 13). The effective population size in a 250-km2area was estimated to be 161-228 individuals by the areal method and 267-378 individuals by the 85th percentile method.

Red maple (Acer rubrum) inhibits feeding by beaver (Castor canadensis)

At many beaver (Castor canadensis) sites at Allegany State Park in New York State, red maple (Acer rubrum) is the only or one of the few tree species left standing at the ponds' edges. The relative palatability of red maple (RM) was studied in three ways. (1) At seven beaver sites, the available and utilized trees were recorded and an electivity index (E) computed. Of 15 tree species, RM ranked second or fourth lowest. (2) In experiment I, RM, sugar maple (A. saccharum, SM), and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) logs were presented cafeteria style at 10 colonies. RM was the least preferred. (3) Bark of RM was extracted with solvents. Aspen logs were painted (experiment II) or soaked (experiment III) with this RM extract and presented to beaver cafeteria-style, along with aspen and RM controls. This treatment rendered aspen logs less palatable, indicating that a chemical factor had been transferred.

Estimation of Fine Particulate Transport in Streams Using Pollen as a Seston Analog

We describe a new method for estimating the distance that fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) is transported in streams. Corn pollen (diameter = 87 μm, ρ = 1092 kg/m³) was injected into Dry Brook, a 2nd-order stream in Allegany State Park, New York. Loss of pollen from the water column was measured by filtering pollen from ∼250-mL grab samples, staining with basic fuschin, and counting. Loss rates were fit to an exponential decay function; mean travel distances on three release dates ranged from 122 to 190 m, consistent with predictions of a model that assumes particle loss is proportional to the settling velocity of a particle in still water and the depth of the water column. Pollen, as a seston analog, would provide a comparative tool to measure transport in streams that differ in critical geomorphic and hydraulic characteristics. This technique can be applied to questions on how bed structure and near-bed flow affect retention and transport of seston, and on the importance of still water settling velocities, stream temperature, and biological uptake in determining FPOM travel distances.

A Nesting of the Least Flycatcher

IN 1954 we found a nest of Empidonax minimuts at Delta, Manitoba, conveniently situated for observation. Although both of us were primarily engaged in studies on precocial birds, this discovery seemed to us an excellent opportunity to become better acquainted with the habits of these engaging little birds. At that time little had been published on the nesting behavior of this species. Saunders (1938) had reported on 13' 2 hours of watching by his students at a nest in Allegany State Park, New York. De Kiriline (1948) had given a general picture of the nesting behavior of eight pairs, only one of which raised its brood, at Pimisi Bay, Ontario. MacQueen (1950) had studied a colony of these birds for three summers at Douglas Lake, Michigan; she found 44 nests, but her paper deals almost entirely with territory and song, with a brief summary of the events of the nesting cycle. In 1959, however, Davis published an important paper on a colony of Least Flycatchers studied by him and his students at Mountain Lake, Virginia from 13 June to 18 July 1956. Besides treating territorial behavior and voice, he summarizes the results of 36 hours' observation of rhythm of incubation in a number of nests and 103 hours' observation of the care of the young in seven nests; these hoours were well distributed throughout the day from 0430 to 2000. He also kindly gave me further details on those nests watched while holding young. Our nest was discovered on 23 June 1954, 1.5 meters up in an alder next to the library of the Delta Waterfowl Research Station. This pair had no near neighbors of the same species, so there was no opportunity to observe territorial behavior. Four eggs were laid from 27 to 30 June; steady incubation was in progress by the 29th. One nestling hatched between 0900 and 1100 on 13 July; at 2000 the nest still held one chick and three eggs. At 0800 the next mornin; there were two nestlings and one egg; this egg never hatched. As the eggs were not marked, the length of incubation in this nest is uncertain. De Kiriline reports it as 15 days; MacQueen as 15 to 16. The young left on 27 July at 13 and 14 days of age. A burlap blind was constructed by Collias so that the nest could be watched from a distance of about 1 meter. He observed the nest for two hours on 28 June, and he and Elsie C. Collias watched it for four hours from 14 to 18 July. My daughter Constance and I watched the nest every day for one to three hours from 14 to 27 July, a total of

Developments in New York in 1956

Eighteen wells were completed in the Oriskany gas area, with 4 of the wells completed as producers. Twelve were completed to the Oriskany in the new Allegany State Park field. Medina sandstone drilling totaled 23 wells, with 34.48% for gas storage. There were 458 development oil wells drilled during 1956, and the daily average for pipeline runs amounted to 7,340.5 bbls. Storage of gas in the Oriskany and Medina fields have a total active capacity of around 115 billion CF annually.

Copulation in the Porcupine

Taylor (1935), in his comprehensive paper on Ecology and life history of the porcupine (Erethizon epixanthum), brings together in one page on manner of copulation, the scant information on this subject and says, available accounts of the actual mating process do not agree. Struthers (1928) witnessed the process once in the laboratory, and few persons have seen it in the wild. The following observations on Erethizon d. dorsatum are recorded because of the lack of detailed information. Of the animals used, female no. 1 (Maudie, 12.5 lbs., 8 yrs. old) and male no. 1 (Old Dad, 20.25 lbs., 9 yrs. old) were obtained from Allegany State Park, New York, through cooperation of the Allegany State Park Commission. They now have been in the laboratory for several years. Female no. 2 (Nightie, 16 lbs.), black and heavily-haired, was received in 1942 from Poughkeepsie, New York, through Donald Spencer of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Herpetological Notes from Allegany State Park, New York

Herpetological Notes from Allegany State Park, New York

Water Shrew in Allegany State Park, New York

Journal Article Water Shrew in Allegany State Park, New York Get access Theodore H. Eaton, Jr. Theodore H. Eaton, Jr. University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Journal of Mammalogy, Volume 26, Issue 2, May 1945, Page 194, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/26.2.194 Published: 01 May 1945

Reforestation of Aspen after Complete Cutting by Beavers

In studies of beavers at Allegany State Park, New York (Shadle and Austin, 1939; Shadle, et al., 1943), it is quite apparent that they are making serious inroads among the aspens, their chief food supply. Areas around colonies have been cleared of aspen, thus forcing the animals to use less desirable species and finally to move elsewhere due to food depletion, as cited by Hiner (1938). It is desirable to maintain beavers in the Park and this necessitates steps to prevent exhaustion of the food supply. A study of the rate of growth of the aspen in this region seemed a fundamental step in any reforestation and maintenance procedure. The aspen stumps left by beavers in cutting were used to determine the average rate of growth and the average length of time required in these areas for the trees to produce the maximum amount of food with a minimum of waste. The latter term here means, (a) the dry corky bark of trunks and large limbs old enough to have developed a tough hard periderm, and (b) also boles and limbs too large for beavers to manipulate. Beavers tend to avoid the corky bark even when plenty of green food material lies beneath it. PROCEDURE

Comparison of Tree Cuttings of Six Beaver Colonies in Allegany State Park, New York

Comparison of Tree Cuttings of Six Beaver Colonies in Allegany State Park, New York

Summer Birds of the Allegany State Park

Summer Birds of the Allegany State Park

The Deer of Allegany State Park, New York

At the Allegany School of Natural History, the senior author has for the past five years observed the whitetailed deer (Odocoileus v. virginianus). With the junior author, a more intensive study was made during the summer of 1940, to determine the precise condition of the herd, and to formulate recommendations as to its management. The thanks and the appreciation of the authors are here extended to many students, rangers, and other interested persons who reported the location of deer remains, and other items of interest to the study. They are especially indebted to Chief Ranger Oscar Lindberg for his thorough cooperation and generous permission to use information that has been of great value in this study. The triangular 65,000-acre Park, an unglaciated, mountainous region on the southern border of New York, is primarily a wooded area, but contains several hundred acres of abandoned fields grown to grass, weeds, bracken, brambles, and encroaching forest. The sandy terrain is well-watered, rough, and varies in altitude from 1,350 to nearly 2,400 feet. The south side of the Park adjoins a National Forest in Pennsylvania.

Prof. W. P. Alexander

PROF. WILLIAM P. ALEXANDER has been awarded the Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medal of the Buffalo Museum of Science, for his work as a conservationist and naturalist. The medal, established by Chester D. Pugsley of Peekskill, N.Y., in honour of his father, bears the inscription: “Awarded to William Prindle Alexander for his distinguished work as a pioneer of outdoor education in state parks”. Prof. Alexander, who is Hayes professor of natural history at the Buffalo Museum of Science, is widely known as a lecturer, writer, and teacher of natural history subjects. He was the originator of the Nature trail idea, his first trail having been planned in the Allegany State Park in 1921; it is now an established institution in many State and Federal parks. Prof. Alexander is a conservationist, not in the sense that he seeks to protect wild life out of season, so that the mute and helpless creatures of wood and field can be indiscriminately maimed and slaughtered ‘in season’, but as a protector and preserver of all wild life in every season. In addition to being the author of numerous articles on natural history, he has had published several novels.

Fifteen Months of Beaver Work at Allegany State Park, N. Y.

Fifteen Months of Beaver Work at Allegany State Park, N. Y.

Notes on Some Mammals of Allegany State Park

Notes on Some Mammals of Allegany State Park

The Cattaraugus County Health Camp in Allegany State Park, New York

The Cattaraugus County Health Camp in Allegany State Park, New York