Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Habitat Fragmentation

Habitat Fragmentation

Habitat fragmentation describes the division of a more extensive, continuous habitat into smaller, discontinuous areas. Human activities such as land conversion, as well as slower geological processes leading to changes in the physical environment, are the two leading causes of habitat fragmentation. The fragmentation process typically follows the same steps: perforation, dissection, fragmentation, shrinkage, and attrition.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Assessing Climate Adaptation Among Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) Populations at the Trailing Edge.

Molecular ecology·2026

Same author

A predictive approach to integrating connectivity into landscape scale protected areas planning.

PloS one·2026

Same author

Community Science: Big Insights From Small Mammal Data.

Ecology and evolution·2026

Same author

Viral metagenomics of Okavango Delta water pans reveal novel insights into wildlife disease potential.

iMetaOmics·2026

Same author

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detected in 41 At-risk Species in Canada.

Journal of wildlife diseases·2025

Same author

Coronaviruses in wild rodent and eulipotyphlan small mammals: a review of diversity, ecological implications and surveillance considerations.

The Journal of general virology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels Bivalvia: Unionida

Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels Bivalvia: Unionida

Published on: October 4, 2019

Marsh Interspersion and Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) Habitat Use.

Gregory P Melvin¹, Jeff Bowman^1,2

¹Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate Program Trent University Peterborough Ontario Canada.

Ecology and Evolution

|March 5, 2026

Summary

Muskrat populations are declining due to habitat changes. This study investigated if reduced marsh interspersion from invasive cattails impacts muskrat habitat use, but found no correlation.

Keywords:

Typha camera traps intensity of use invasive species muskrats wetlands

More Related Videos

Continuous Hydrologic and Water Quality Monitoring of Vernal Ponds

Continuous Hydrologic and Water Quality Monitoring of Vernal Ponds

Published on: November 13, 2017

Shallow Water Paddling Variants of Water Maze Tests in Mice

Shallow Water Paddling Variants of Water Maze Tests in Mice

Published on: June 3, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels Bivalvia: Unionida

Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels Bivalvia: Unionida

Published on: October 4, 2019

Continuous Hydrologic and Water Quality Monitoring of Vernal Ponds

Continuous Hydrologic and Water Quality Monitoring of Vernal Ponds

Published on: November 13, 2017

Shallow Water Paddling Variants of Water Maze Tests in Mice

Shallow Water Paddling Variants of Water Maze Tests in Mice

Published on: June 3, 2013

Area of Science:

Ecology
Wildlife Biology
Invasive Species Management

Background:

North American muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) populations have declined significantly over recent decades.
Wetland ecosystems are experiencing widespread invasion by hybrid cattail (Typha x glauca), negatively impacting biodiversity and habitat structure.
Muskrats rely on wetlands with high interspersion of water and emergent vegetation, which invasive cattails may reduce.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between marsh interspersion and fine-scale muskrat habitat use.
To assess the potential impact of invasive cattail (Typha x glauca) on muskrat habitat selection.
To understand factors contributing to muskrat population declines in invaded wetlands.

Main Methods:

Camera traps were used to measure the intensity of muskrat habitat use.
Study sites were stratified along a gradient of marsh interspersion in a Typha-dominated marsh in Ontario.
Habitat use intensity was analyzed in relation to varying degrees of water-vegetation interspersion.

Main Results:

No significant correlation was found between marsh interspersion and the intensity of muskrat habitat use.
The study site's uniform dominance by invasive cattail and low overall interspersion may have limited the ability to detect effects.
The ubiquity of Typha x glauca presented challenges for testing the hypothesis.

Conclusions:

The study could not establish a direct link between interspersion and muskrat habitat use intensity at the fine scale examined.
Further research is required to elucidate how interspersion influences muskrat habitat use and population dynamics.
Investigating changes in habitat quality and use is crucial for understanding widespread muskrat declines.