Carolyn Mahan - Research Interests

Carolyn G. Mahan- Research Interests

Research Interests

My research interests include the study of biodiversity in threatened ecosystems, the effects of human-modified landscapes on wildlife, and behavioral ecology of squirrels.

Biodiversity: I have collaborated on a research project to examine the effects of the effects of the hemlock woolly adelgid, an external, non-indigenous stressor, on biodiversity at Shenandoah National Park and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This line of research has led to the discovery of several species of insects that we suspect are unknown to science.

Human-modified Landscapes: I also study the effects of human development on biodiversity in parklands and greenbelts of urban and suburban settings. These studies help local and regional planners to design development projects in areas of rapid growth. In addition, I have initiated undergraduate research projects at Penn State Altoona to examine how landscape development, habitat loss, and fragmentation affect animal behavior and parasite loads. Her work has documented new host records for parasites of eastern chipmunks.

Squirrel Ecology and Behavior: My collaborators and I are studying the northern flying squirrel, a speices of sciurid that is declining dramatically in Pennsylvania. In June 2006, we petitioned the Pennsylvania Game Commission to consider listing the northern flying squirrel as a threatened species. Currently we are studying habitat use, parasite loads, and behavior of this sciurid primarily in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Natural resources at National Parks: I am conducting studies of the current status and significance of natural resources at New River Gorge National River, Shenandoah National Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and Upper Delaware National River with the goal of assisting park planners and natural resource managers in using scientific research to better inform park planning and stewardship.


		Last modified: Summer 2006