About This Project

The current ecosystem of the Lake Erie Bass Islands is about 10,000 years old. However, no comprehensive atlas of the mammals inhabiting the Islands exist, nor is there any documentation of how the mammals populate the Islands. Our research will use citizen science and camera traps to quantify the current mammal community and understand ecological responses to human activity and winter ice patterns.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The Bass Islands are home to numerous mammals including White-tailed Deer, Northern Raccoon, Red Fox, and Gray Squirrels. However, no recent documentation exists on the distribution and habitat use of mammals on this system of Islands. The only studies of Island mammal diversity are related to rodents and are antiquated. Human population increases on the Islands coupled with habitat loss due to development and changes in winter ice formation on Lake Erie may influence the Island populations of many of these species. The Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center is educates Island residents and visitors on Island wildlife yet we are limited by the current lack of information on the conservation status of Island mammals.

What is the significance of this project?

During the summer, the Islands are truly isolated from mainland Ohio. During the winter, ice formation on Lake Erie allows for intra-Island movement of Deer, Coyote, and Fox. Recent casual observations suggest that poor ice formation as well as a tradition of predator control on the Islands have allowed the Island Deer population to increase. This can lead to negative human-wildlife interactions, increased disease transmission, and decreased food resources through over-browsing. Understanding how and when animals move about the Islands, what their population sizes and trends are, and what habitats are required to sustain their populations is a crucial conservation concern for this system of Islands that is less than 3,000 acres and 3 miles from mainland Ohio.

What are the goals of the project?

To understand the diversity and structure of mammal populations on the Bass Islands, we will install a camera trap system across South Bass Island, the largest of the three Islands. Camera locations will be randomly located within each of at least 5 of our preserves and at least 5 other locations on private property. At least 2 cameras will be installed at each location and images will be captured year-round to develop mammal occupancy models at each location. During winter ice coverage, a random selection of cameras will be repositioned to known ice routes to visually document animal migration over ice. All image analyses will be crowdsourced through our online platform and randomly verified by our expert team.