Faculty

Carolyn Mahan

Professor of Biology (Altoona)

0209 Hawthorn
Altoona, PA

Email cgm2@psu.edu
Phone 814-949-5000

Overview

The study of biodiversity in threatened ecosystems, the effects of human-modified landscapes on wildlife, and behavioral ecology of sciurids. Dr. Mahan teaches introductory biology, environmental studies, field ecology, and evolution.

Areas of Expertise

Pennsylvania Keyphrases
Eastern Chipmunk Keyphrases
Tamias Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Tamias Striatus Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Tamias Striatus Keyphrases
Forest Fragmentation Keyphrases
Ground Nests Keyphrases
Forest Fragmentation Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Camera trap surveys reveal hidden mammalian diversity in rocky outcrops from southeastern Peruvian highlands
Daniel Llancachahua-Tarqui, Pamela Sánchez-Vendizú, César A. Monzón-Tapia, Joseph A. Bishop, Víctor Pacheco, Carolyn G. Mahan, Feb 1 2026, In: Journal of Mammalogy
Date: Feb 1 2026

Mammals of Eastern Old-Growth Forests in the United States
Carolyn G. Mahan, Laura Palmer, Feb 2026, In: Forests
Date: Feb 2026

Coexisting With Humans
Giulia Fabbri, Roberto Biello, Maëva Gabrielli, Sibelle Torres Vilaça, Beatrice Sammarco, Silvia Fuselli, Patrícia Santos, Lorena Ancona, Laura Peretto, Giada Padovani, Marco Sollitto, Alessio Iannucci, Ladislav Paule, Dario Balestra, Marco Gerdol, Claudio Ciofi, Paolo Ciucci, Carolyn G. Mahan, E..., Dec 1 2025, In: Molecular biology and evolution
Date: Dec 1 2025

Differences in Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) Behavior Between an Urbanized and a Forested Habitat in Central Pennsylvania
David Keller, Michael R. Gannon, Carolyn G. Mahan, Jul 27 2023, In: Northeastern Naturalist
Date: Jul 27 2023

Assessing tradeoffs between current and desired vegetation condition in a National Park using historical maps and high-resolution lidar data
John A. Young, Carolyn G. Mahan, 2023, In: Restoration Ecology
Date: 2023

Species Richness, Abundance, and Productivity of Birds Along a Powerline Right-of-way within a Forested Landscape, Northeastern United States
Bradley D. Ross, John Berger, Carolyn G. Mahan, Laura Russo, Apr 1 2022, In: American Midland Naturalist
Date: Apr 1 2022

Powerline right-of-way management and flower-visiting insects
Laura Russo, Hannah Stout, Dana Roberts, Bradley D. Ross, Carolyn G. Mahan, Jan 2021, In: PloS one
Date: Jan 2021

The Prevalence of the Raccoon Roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, in Allegheny Woodrat Habitat in the Mid-Atlantic Region, U.S.A.
Jordan Wolfkill, Maria Elena Bejarano, Thomas L. Serfass, Greg Turner, Sunshine Brosi, Daniel Feller, Carolyn G. Mahan, Jan 1 2021, In: American Midland Naturalist
Date: Jan 1 2021

Selection for increased cranial capacity in small mammals during a century of urbanization
C. Depasquale, X. Li, M. Harold, S. Mueller, S. Mclaren, C. Mahan, Dec 1 2020, In: Journal of Mammalogy
Date: Dec 1 2020

The Effects of Integrated Vegetation Management on Richness of Native Compatible Flowering Plants and Abundance of Noncompatible Tree Species on a Right-of-Way in Central Pennsylvania, USA
Carolyn G. Mahan, Bradley D. Ross, Richard T. Yahner, Nov 1 2020, In: Arboriculture and Urban Forestry
Date: Nov 1 2020

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Climate change induced hybridization in flying squirrels
Colin J. Garroway, Jeff Bowman, Tara J. Cascaden, Gillian L. Holloway, Carolyn G. Mahan, Jay R. Malcolm, Michael A. Steele, Gregory Turner, Paul J. Wilson, Jan 2010, In: Global Change Biology
Citations: 150

Developing a monitoring program for invertebrates
Jason R. Rohr, Carolyn G. Mahan, Ke Chung Kim, Apr 2007, In: Conservation Biology
Citations: 67

Response of arthropod biodiversity to foundation species declines
Jason R. Rohr, Carolyn G. Mahan, Ke Chung Kim, Sep 15 2009, In: Forest Ecology and Management
Citations: 55

Small mammal use of suburban and urban parks in central Pennsylvania
Caroyln G. Mahan, Timothy J. O'Connell, 2005, In: Northeastern Naturalist
Citations: 54

Effects of egg type on depredation of artificial ground nests
Richard H. Yahner, Carolyn Grace Mahan, Mar 1996, In: Wilson Bulletin
Citations: 44

Depredation of artificial ground nests in a managed, forested landscape
Richard H. Yahner, Carolyn G. Mahan, Feb 1996, In: Conservation Biology
Citations: 39

Effects of forest fragmentation on behaviour patterns in the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
Carolyn G. Mahan, R. H. Yahner, 1999, In: Canadian journal of zoology
Citations: 32

Effects of logging roads on depredation of artificial ground nests in a forested landscape
Richard H. Yahner, Carolyn G. Mahan, Mar 1997, In: Wildlife Society Bulletin
Citations: 30

Behavioral considerations in fragmented landscapes
Richard H. Yahner, Carolyn G. Mahan, 1997, In: Conservation Biology
Citations: 27

Using Ecological Indicators and a Decision Support System for Integrated Ecological Assessment at Two National Park Units in the Mid-Atlantic Region, USA
Carolyn G. Mahan, John A. Young, Bruce J. Miller, Michael C. Saunders, Feb 2014, In: Environmental Management
Citations: 26

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Centers & Institutes

Center for Pollinator Research

Ecology IGDP

Carolyn Mahan, professor of biology and environmental studies at Penn State Altoona, and Mike Retterer of Pheasants Forever explain the research approach to understanding habitat management along the Falcon Pipeline Right-of-Way in southwestern Pennsylvania. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

February 03, 2025

Penn State, Shell collaboration funds environmental research project

April 16, 2024

Carolyn Mahan

Overview

Areas of Expertise

Penn State, Shell collaboration funds environmental research project

Power, pipeline corridors are becoming wildlife habitat

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