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The behavioral and physiological effects of low-flying aircraft on desert ungulates

I evaluated the effects of simulated noise from low-flying jet aircraft on the behavior and physiology of 6 captive desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) and 5 captive mountain sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana). I measured heart rate, body temperature, ambient temperature, and behavior related to the number of overflights/day, and decibel levels (dB) animals were exposed to (range = 92-112). I recorded heart rate and body temperatures from transmitters implanted into the body cavity of animals. Ambient temperature was recorded in the pens and behavior was described from visual observations. I compared heart rates during simulated overflights by jet aircraft (N = 112/season) of sheep and deer to data collected prior to and following treatments. I documented differences between heart rates, species, dB levels, and number of overflights/day within and between seasons. All animals became habituated to aircraft noise. Although heart rates increased during overflights, they returned to the resting heart rate in ≤ 2 minutes.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/278096
Date January 1992
CreatorsWeisenberger, Mara Enyeart, 1966-
ContributorsKrausman, Paul R.
PublisherThe University of Arizona.
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic)
RightsCopyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

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