Department Chair

Pennuto

Date of Award

5-2026

Access Control

Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Environmental Studies (MES)

Department

Environmental Science

Advisor

Robert Warren

Department Home page

https://biology.buffalostate.edu/

First Reader

Robert Warren II, Ph.D.

Second Reader

Gavin Leighton, Ph.D.

Third Reader

Amy McMillan, Ph.D.

Abstract

Forest floors are dynamic and spatially heterogenous landscapes characterized by differing amounts of light, temperature, and moisture. Bounded substrates, like downed wood and leaf litter, add further complexity to this landscape. Specifically, downed wood is noted for its ability to retain a higher moisture level than the surrounding environment, and as such can serve as an ideal microhabitat for desiccation intolerant organisms (e.g., salamanders and eusocial insects). Here, I attempt to disentangle the relationship between forest floor arthropods and microhabitat selection (i.e., downed wood vs leaf litter) on a northeastern forest floor. The ant, Aphaenogaster picea, was chosen as my study organism based on its well-documented abundance in northeastern temperate forests. Downed wood and leaf litter was intensively sampled at five sites in Western New York. Collections yielded a total of 11,193 arthropods, with ants comprising 60% of samples. A. picea was denser in downed wood but more abundant in leaf litter. Non-ant arthropods were both more abundant and taxonomically diverse in leaf litter, while ants were overall more diverse in leaf litter. My results indicate complementary roles for these microhabitats, with downed supporting wood-associated taxa (e.g., Aphaengoaster and Camponotus ants) whereas leaf litter supports a more abundant and diverse arthropod community. Aphaenogaster ant behaviors (i.e., nest relocation) and my narrow parameters for downed wood collections (i.e., > 10 cm diameter) may have skewed these results. Nonetheless, this research shows that both habitats contribute to robust arthropod communities. Repeated research with broader downed wood parameters may further elucidate these relationships.

Comments

3 minor edits for the Abstract page...

1) Abstract is missing 'wood' following 'downed', as in 'downed wood' about 3/4 of way down

2) change 'approval by to Dr. Christopher Pennuto, Professor of Biology & Interim Director, Great Lakes Center

3) Delete reference to Kevin Miller and graduate studies office 

Additional Files
Data.csv (2 kB)
Data on the environmental variables and arthropod abundance from each collection.
Dolan.R (13 kB)
Associated analyses in R
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