Flora and fauna associated with prairie dog colonies and adjacent ungrazed mixed-grass prairie in western South Dakota
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Authors: W. Agnew, D. W. Uresk, and R. M. Hansen
Date: 1986
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 39
Number: 2
Pages: 135-139
Summary of Methods: Authors measured vegetation and rodent and bird populations in prairie dog towns, where prairie dogs maintain patches of lower vegetation height and percent mulch cover. Plant canopy cover was greater outside prairie dog towns in late spring and late summer of the second year. Plant species richness was greater with western wheatgrass and blue grama dominating 24% and 17%, respectively, outside towns, while buffalograss was the dominant species inside prairie dog towns at 34%. Rodent and bird abundance and species richness were higher outside the towns than inside, corresponding to the difference in vegetation (different species prefer different degrees of percent mulch cover and plant height).
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: black-tailed prairie dog, cynomys ludovicianus, ecosystem regulator, habitat, species richness, abundance
Annotation: Three sites "inside" prairie dog towns (80x80 m each) and three "outside" (200-1,000 m away) towns were measured over two years. Rodents were caught, inventoried and immediately released on site. Results show strong "Year" effect and for some measurements "Year x Season" and "Year x Season x treatment" interactions which are not addressed.
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