Goals and Objectives:

The objectives of this project are two-fold: (1) to collect basic distributional data on reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals in agricultural landscapes in Iowa and (2) to determine what characteristics of grassy conservation features influence their abundance and occupancy rates. This study will efficiently add a reptile, amphibian, and small mammal component to an existing research project studying grassland bird nesting in grassy features on Iowa corn and soybean farms.

Progress:

Cover boards have been purchased and deployed in May 2017. Data are being gathered throughout the summer.

Future Plans:

Data will be analyzed and final report prepared by March 2018.

Funding Organization: Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Duration: 04/01/2017 to 03/31/2018

Principal Investigator(s): Robert W. Klaver, Lisa Schulte Moore