We caught some mini mammals!

We have success!  Of the 100 traps we set, we caught 8 small mammals, which is actually a pretty high number for this time of year!  (More on that later)  

The link to the video for one of the catches is this:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv28VDiq0M4

As far as the small mammals, we caught 6 red-backed voles (Two were from the traps another teacher and I set up) , a deer mouse (shown on the video) and a chipmunk (Which can get very aggressive so we let our instructors deal with those).  It was interesting to see them up close!  Except for the chipmunk, the mammals were very mellow and easy to handle.  All of this data we collect will be used to add to the years of data that they already have.  Results will be coming soon!  

As we talked to the scientists, we all realized that science research can be difficult and hard to collect and decipher (Figure out).  Let's take a look at the first part of that, which is the collection of data.  I have two questions for you to figure out.  

Journal #3

Part 1:  Setting up traps in a 100 square meter area does not necessarily give enough data to give accurate numbers.  Here is my question:  What other methods can you find animal #s?  (Abundance and distribution)  

Part 2:  Going along with the first part of my blog today, why is a low number of small mammals expected for this time of year?  Please use the word "primary productivity" in your answer.  You can look it up in your book if you need to!