Species richness and California voles in an annual and a perennial grassland
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Authors: J. S. Fehmi, and J. W. Bartolome
Date: 2002
Journal: Western North American Naturalist
Volume: 62
Number: 1
Pages: 73-81
Summary of Methods: Over two consecutive years, Fehmi and Bartolome evaluated two sites ungrazed by livestock, one dominated by native perennial grasses and another dominated by invasive annuals, to determine the relationship between plant species richness and location of Microtus californicus (California vole) burrow entrances (burrows). Quadrats with burrows averaged significantly more plant species than those without them. Burrows found in 1996 were not correlated with species richness in 1995, suggesting that voles affect richness rather than seek it out. Since voles seem to create a clumped pattern with their burrow entrances, the associated increase in plant species richness may have a strong effect on the overall structure of the plant community. A quantitative comparison of the 2 sites showed that the plant matrix of the perennial site contained flora of the annual site, and this similarity in plant species composition may allow for similar treatment of the 2 types of sites and potentially other California grasslands.
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: california vole, microtus californicus, california, native grasses, plant community comparison, grassland management
Annotation: Grazing intensity is not specified. ,The area was grazed moderately year-round for at least 70 years before establishment of the exclosures.
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