Environmental preferences of the Oregon Forestsnail

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Contributors
Author: Way, Ryan
Thesis advisor: Ransome, Douglas
Contributor: Ransome, Douglas
Degree granting institution:
Abstract
Snails play crucial roles in forest ecosystems, aiding in soil creation, seed dispersal, and fungal spore distribution. The Oregon Forest snail, imperiled in Canada, exhibits habitat preferences, notably favoring Stinging Nettle-rich environments. This study investigated environmental factors influencing snail presence in Colony Farm Regional Park, British Columbia. This study preformed searches and studies of a number of plots to find the number of snails and the environmental factors in those plots. Results showed a strong correlation between snail abundance and Stinging Nettle coverage, suggesting its importance as habitat. Relative humidity significantly impacts snail activity, with higher humidity correlated with increased snail presence. Soil moisture may influence snail behavior, with the difference in soil moisture during a drought potentially showing impacts on the number of snails found. Thatch thickness, while showing a positive trend, lacked significance in determining snail presence. These findings seek to inform conservation efforts, highlighting the significance of preserving moist habitats with abundant Stinging Nettle for the survival and expansion of Oregon Forest snail populations.
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Degree granted
Master of Science (MSc) in Ecological Restoration
Publisher
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Number of pages
28 pages
Type
Form
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This license enables reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. CC BY-NC-ND includes the following elements: BY: credit must be given to the creator. NC: Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted. ND: No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/