Mast and Mammals Project

North Carolina State University has partnered with Duke University to analyze the contribution of mast (fruit and seed production by trees and shrubs) to wildlife ecology across several research sites operated by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). Specifically, we will be deploying camera traps to quantify the activity of mammals and large birds in the same region where seed plots are measuring mast production. The results of this analysis will be used to evaluate community change and reorganization dependent on mast production, including the effects of variations in mast production on observed species and habitats, and how these effects are shared across species groups.