A Survey of Allegheny Woodrat (Neotoma magister) Habitat on Blue Mountain, Cumberland County, PA

Jennifer Latchford
Valerie Latchford
Independent Research
Fall 1998
Prof. Janet Wright

Adult Allegheny Woodrat
Photo by S. Johnson / Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT

     The Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) is a threatened species in Pennsylvania. Little is known about the species, but studies suggest that woodrats exist as a metapopulation and therefore conservation efforts should be directed at metapopulations rather than individuals inhabiting isolated habitat patches. This study focuses on available woodrat habitat on Blue Mountain, Cumberland County, PA. Habitat patch size and distance between patches was measured using aerial surveys and computer analysis. These data were then used to suggest possible habitat groupings to reflect the metapopulation model. Future recolonization efforts can focus on more extensive habitat patch groupings, giving the experiments a greater chance of success.

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