The aim of my thesis was to evaluate two methods of monitoring of the American mink and polecat, monitoring with live traps and by floating rafts. While the first method is commonly used in our country, where the second method is the pilot project here, but it has been used in the UK successfully. Observation was from August to November in 2008 and from April to November in 2009. Observation took place in the area near PP Černíč near Dačice, where were chosen 4 different habitats. All detected tracks of Mustelids found on rafts were from the American mink. It corresponds with captures, where were captured also only minks and no polecat. Occupation of rafts was higher in 2008 than in 2009 because of the eradication of mink in November 2008. In both years the highest occupancy rate in rafts was in September and the lowest in October. There were differences between habitats and number of captured minks and tracks. In compare between rafts and traps, rafts were more successful method.

Urban development and human encroachment on the natural habitats along the coastline of Florida combined with invasive exotic pressures have resulted in the fragmentation and degradation of habitat quality within Broward County. Native habitats have been significantly altered and fragmented to a fraction their previous size. With loss of habitat area and quality, isolation of breeding populations and anthropogenic pressures, it is important to determine species composition and habitat utilization in order to conserve the remaining biological diversity. It was the intent of this study to determine the small mammal species’ population structure and habitat utilization by season in the four sampled habitats. Previously undocumented species and/or extralimital populations were predicted prior to sampling. John U. Lloyd Beach State Park in Dania Beach, Florida is an understudied location for small mammals. This study surveyed four terrestrial habitats for small mammal species using live trapping and mark/recapture techniques. Data were collected monthly over the span of thirteen months to determine habitat use from maritime hammock, mangrove swamp, coastal dune and ruderal habitat types to determine species composition and mass of individual captures and recaptures. Trapping (3749 trap nights) produced twenty-four captures (including recaptures) in two of the four habitat types: maritime hammock and coastal strand. No animals were captured in the mangrove swamp or ruderal habitats, both of which were dominated by invasive Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) monocultures. Post study, a large habitat restoration project restored the habitats impacted by invasive exotic flora. This survey serves as a baseline for small mammals in the park, documenting the pre-restoration habitat use and species composition. Future study to determine changes in species composition post-restoration is recommended.

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