Solar and Topographical Breeding Habitat Preferences of Two Damselflies: Calopteryx aequabilis and Calopteryx maculata. By: Chris St. Andre Mentor: Dr. Darcy Boellstorff

Significance of Habitat Modeling To find species, researchers have to look for ideal habitats. Modeling habitats through GIS allows for a better understanding of where and why species choose their habitats.

Study Location Two species of damselflies Calopteryx aequabilis and Calopteryx maculata were observed and recorded along a 1 KM stretch of the Taunton River, West Bridgewater Massachusetts. They are found along the banks, in varying levels of solar radiation.

Breeding Damselflies Damselflies found along the river are assumed to be of sexual maturity and breeding. Damselflies spend their initial time after emergence foraging in light gaps, to gain suitable energy reserves.

Affects of Light Intensity on Damselflies Light intensity can increase metabolic rates, and decrease energy reserves. Damselflies defend territory by entering battles of energy reserves. – Fly around tight against each other. Those with higher reserves can defend territories longer.

Early JuneEnd of July Changes In Vegetation

Research Questions Where do breeding Damselflies of the order Calopteryx inhabit along the Taunton River? Where do C. maculata inhabit opposed to C. aequabilis. Where do female C. aequabilis inhabit? Where can female C. aequabilis be found perched along the Taunton River?

Male C. maculata Ebony Jewelwing Female C. aequabilis River Jewelwing Male C. aequabilis River Jewelwing Female C. maculata Ebony Jewelwing

Collection of Field Data. Data was collected from June 2, 2008 to July 21, 2008 during 20 field sessions. 434 Calopteryx Damselflies were recorded. C. aequabilis had peak activity on June 11. C. maculata had peak activity on July 20.

Collection of Field Data Input Data into Excel Sheets Convert to DBF_IV File From DBF_IV to GPS points on ArcMap Using DEM: Calculate Slope and Solar Radiation Intersect Binary Layers with Buffered Taunton River Statistical Analyses to Determine Habitat Criteria Reclass Solar Radiation and Slope (Binary) Identify Damselflies with Binary Taunton River. Weight Attributes

Collection of Field Data Observation Time Species Sex Light Intensity GPS coordinates Behavior (Flying, Perched, Fighting, Copulation, Ovipositing) Bank Side

Behaviors

Significant Data t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances Variable 1Variable 2 Mean Variance Observations Pooled Variance Hypothesized Mean Difference0 df420 t Stat P(T<=t) one-tail E-45 t Critical one-tail P(T<=t) two-tail E-45 t Critical two-tail Aeq VS. Mac Light Intesity t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances Variable 1Variable 2 Mean Variance Observations Pooled Variance Hypothesized Mean Difference0 df420 t Stat P(T<=t) one-tail1.10E-10 t Critical one-tail P(T<=t) two-tail2.1968E-10 t Critical two-tail Aeq Vs. Mac Slope

GPS coordinates of damselflies were overlaid onto images of the Taunton River. Using a digital elevation model (DEM) slope and solar radiation of each damselfly was calculated. Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Creating the Models Solar radiation and slope data were reclassified into binary categories. – Values that coincided with majority of field points were coded as a 1, all other values were coded 0. Binary Code was intersected with a 15 M buffered Taunton River.

Creating the Models Attributes were separately weighted for each model. – Some attributes were more important in predicting species, sex, or behavior. Example: Predictive Model for All Damselflies of Both Species [Slope] *.24 + [June 11 Solar Radiation] *.24 + [July 20 Solar Radiation]*.26 + [Entire Summer Solar Radiation]*.26

Predictive Model For C. aequabilis & C. maculata

C. maculata Predictive Model C. aequabilis Predictive Model

Female Calopteryx aequabilis Predictive Model

Perched Female C. aequabilis Predictive Model

Conclusions Validating the model – Check the accuracy, by going out to high and low probability areas. – June-July 2009 Potential improvements the model – Add attributes (Vegetation, Water Flow) – Data collection from more sites along the Taunton River

Future Applications Locating new populations Identifying areas for conservation Observing endangered species of damselflies and their habitat needs – Model their habitat criteria, to find new populations.

Acknowledgements I would like to thank Bridgewater State College for the ATP Summer Grant. My mentor Dr. Darcy Boellstorff for her guidance throughout the project. MassGIS for the use of data layers in the project.