Small Mammal Population and Diversity in Relation To Prairie Dog Reintroduction SitesSmall Mammal Abundance and Diversity in Relation To Prairie Dog Reintroduction Sites
Summer 2013
Ty Werdel
Introduction
Prairie Dogs (Cynomys) are considered ecosystem engineers and a keystone species
Impact abiotic and biotic features
Influence environmental heterogeneity, plant succession, hydrology, nutrient cycling, landscape architecture, and biodiversity
Introduction
Introduction
Populations have declined by 90%-98%
Range disappearing due to encroachment on habitat and eradication
Introduction
Implications of Losing an Ecosystem Engineer
Many vertebrate species have been shown to depend on prairie dogs for habitat and survival.
Result in loss of species diversity in grasslands
Endangered or Species of Concern:
At least nine species of wildlife depend on prairie dogs, another 20 opportunistically use prairie dog colonies, and an additional 117 wildlife species likely benefit from prairie dog colonies to meet their biological needs.
6
Introduction
Utilize prairie dog burrows for dens, shelter, and predator avoidance
Species richness, diversity, and abundance has been shown to increase in areas with prairie dogs
Certain species are adapted to live in areas with short grass and bare ground.
Purpose
What is the effect of C. gunnisoni on small mammal species diversity and abundance on Sevilleta NWR?
Gunnison’s Prairie Dogs on Sevilleta NWR
Refuge Purpose for Reintroduction
Native, Eradicated, Reintroduced
Establish habitat for the prairie dog and for the many life forms that depend on its system
Reintroduction History
Methods: Trapping Location and Design
4-16 ha Vegetation Plots
Plot C-Control
Traps Placed in 9 ha Grid
169 Traps
Monday-Friday
Data Was Collected Regarding: Species, Sex, Age, Weight, and Measurements
Individuals marked
Owner (O) - This is a lot of information. Maybe just put that you trapped for 4 consecutive nights, Monday through Friday. And information was collected regarding species, sex, age, weight, and measurements. And put a cute picture of a krat or a picture of you processing mammals.
Results: Species Captured
Results: Total Small Mammal Individuals
Plot
Results: Total Small Mammal Individuals
P-Value: 0.3168
Not Significant
Results: Small Mammal Species/Plot
Plot
A DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 12 6 1 1 2 3 41 2 B DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 3 5 6 2 8 63 3 C DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 8 9 2 4 1 42 4 D DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 1 20 2 7 61 5
Results: Small Mammal Species/Plot
Plot
A DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 12 6 1 1 2 3 41 2 B DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 3 5 6 2 8 63 3 C DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 8 9 2 4 1 42 4 D DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 1 20 2 7 61 5
Results: Small Mammal Species/Plot
Plot
A DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 12 6 1 1 2 3 41 2 B DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 3 5 6 2 8 63 3 C DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 8 9 2 4 1 42 4 D DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 1 20 2 7 61 5
Results: Small Mammal Species/Plot
Plot
A DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 12 6 1 1 2 3 41 2 B DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 3 5 6 2 8 63 3 C DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 8 9 2 4 1 42 4 D DIME DIOR DISP NEMI ONAR ONLE PEBO PEMA PGFV SPSP 1 20 2 7 61 5
Results: Summary
Small Mammal Species Richness
Doesn’t seem to be a correlation between species richness and control or treatment sites
Small Mammal Abundance
No significant difference
Seems to be a trend favoring abundance on treatment plots versus control plots
Discussion
Short term studies may not show significant data
Prairie dogs may have a different effect on different grassland types
Black-tailed vs. Gunnison’s
Only 1 Trapping Period Per Site
Season of Trapping
Drought vs. Monsoon
Low mammal activity
Data Not Significant:
Less variation between plots
REU Students