Mammals and Ecosystem Interactions

Liesl Erb, a conservation biology professor, shares her passion for mammals and ecosystems. She discusses her background, teaching, and research, emphasizing the importance of listening to mammals to understand ecosystems. Liesl highlights her research on pikas and the role of mammals in various ecosystems. She encourages using camera traps to explore mammals' secret lives and shares her excitement about mentoring ecoexplorers.

What is Liesl Erb's role in the EcoExplore program?

• Entomology science mentor

• Ornithology science mentor

• Botany science mentor

• Mammalogy science mentor

Which two states does Liesl Erb compare in terms of their ecosystems?

• New York and Pennsylvania

• Florida and Georgia

• Idaho and North Carolina

• California and Texas

What lesson did Liesl learn from her childhood experience with coyotes?

• Mammals communicate ecosystem stories

• Mammals are dangerous

• Mammals are solitary

• Mammals are silent

What animal did Liesl study for her PhD research?

• Snow Leopard

• Mountain Goat

• Pika

• Arctic Fox

What is a significant threat to the pika's habitat?

• Deforestation

• Climate change

• Urban development

• Overhunting

Why are mammals considered good indicators of ecosystem health?

• They are found in every ecosystem

• They are nocturnal

• They are always visible

• They are the largest animals

What tool does Liesl use to study the secret lives of mammals?

• Binoculars

• Camera traps

• Microscopes

• Drones

What adaptation helps mammals survive in cold environments?

• Thick scales

• Warm fur coat

• Sharp claws

• Long tails

What can the presence of a bobcat in your backyard indicate?

• A healthy ecosystem

• A lack of food

• An increase in pollution

• A decrease in biodiversity

What prize can EcoExplore participants win that helps study mammals?

• A telescope

• A camera trap

• A microscope

• A GPS device