Effects of roads and wildfire on the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel

As one of the most abundant infrastructure types, roads can be a direct cause for habitat fragmentation, which is a major threat to biodiversity. Many studies in the field of road ecology show that traffic noise can be far-reaching, with negative consequences on species presence. The Mt. Graham red squirrel is an endangered subspecies of red squirrel isolated to the highest elevations of a single mountain. Mt. Graham is an important biological, cultural, astronomical, and recreational site in SE Arizona, resulting in a large amount of road traffic throughout much of the year. The goal of this research is to determine whether roads are avoided by red squirrels or perhaps included as a resource in their home ranges. We will also assess the influence of traffic intensity and noise on the rate of road crossing and movement patterns before and after a major wildfire. Our results will allow us to identify potential shifts in wildlife movement behavior and ecology following major disturbance events.