datagrandma-blog

[datagrandma-blog]

I have chosen to work with a dataset provided to me from a colleague. It contains information on GPS locations of collared mountain lions within California (e.g. how far lion locations are from roads, water, wooded areas, etc.) and the mountain lions that were wearing the GPS collars (e.g. age and sex). I am interested in looking for whether sex of mountain lions affects the distance of the GPS location to water. My underlying assumption for asking this question is that females may stay closer to water, given that they are more likely to have young in tow and are thus more likely to stay close to their den location, which they selected based on its proximity to water. This association may be different early in the year as opposed to later in the year, so I will also investigate if the date, as well as distance to water, is associated with the sex of the animals.

My hypothesis is therefore this: adult female mountain lions will be detected more often in proximity to water as opposed to male mountain lions. This association of female lions to water will be stronger during spring than during summer and fall.

Literature:

James H. Thorne, Dick Cameron, James F. Quinn. 2006.  A Conservation Design for the Central Coast of California and the Evaluation of Mountain Lion as an Umbrella Species.  Natural Areas Journal 26(2):137-148.

Cougar Management Guidelines Working Group. 2005. Cougar Management Guidelines, First Edition. WildFutures. Bainbridge Island, WA.137. pages.

I have chosen to work with a dataset provided to me from a colleague. It contains information on remote cameras placed in specific locations within California (e.g. how far they are placed from roads, water, wooded areas, etc.) and the mountain lions that were detected on these cameras (e.g. age and sex). I am interested in looking for whether sex of mountain lions visiting trail cameras is affected by the distance of the camera to water. My underlying assumption for asking this question is that females may stay closer to water, given that they are more likely to have young in tow and are thus more likely to stay close to their den location, which they selected based on its proximity to water. This association may be different early in the year as opposed to later in the year, so I will include also investigate if the date, as well as distance to water, is associated with the sex of the animals.

My hypothesis is therefore this: female mountain lions will be seen less often on cameras placed further from water as opposed to male mountain lions. This association of female lions to water will be stronger during spring than during summer and fall.

Literature:

James H. Thorne, Dick Cameron, James F. Quinn. 2006.  A Conservation Design for the Central Coast of California and the Evaluation of Mountain Lion as an Umbrella Species.  Natural Areas Journal 26(2):137-148.

Cougar Management Guidelines Working Group. 2005. Cougar Management Guidelines, First Edition. WildFutures. Bainbridge Island, WA.137. pages.

[datagrandma-blog]

I have chosen to work with a dataset provided to me from a colleague. It contains information on remote cameras placed in specific locations within California (e.g. how far they are placed from roads, water, wooded areas, etc.) and the mountain lions that were detected on these cameras (e.g. age and sex). I am interested in looking for whether sex of mountain lions visiting trail cameras is affected by the distance of the camera to water. My underlying assumption for asking this question is that females may stay closer to water, given that they are more likely to have young in tow and are thus more likely to stay close to their den location, which they selected based on its proximity to water. This association may be different early in the year as opposed to later in the year, so I will include also investigate if the date, as well as distance to water, is associated with the sex of the animals.

My hypothesis is therefore this: female mountain lions will be seen less often on cameras placed further from water as opposed to male mountain lions. This association of female lions to water will be stronger during spring than during summer and fall.

Literature:

James H. Thorne, Dick Cameron, James F. Quinn. 2006.  A Conservation Design for the Central Coast of California and the Evaluation of Mountain Lion as an Umbrella Species.  Natural Areas Journal 26(2):137-148.

Cougar Management Guidelines Working Group. 2005. Cougar Management Guidelines, First Edition. WildFutures. Bainbridge Island, WA.137. pages.