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The effects of livestock on California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyii)

    • Authors: J. S. Fehmi, S. E. Russo, and J. W. Bartolome

      Date: 2005

      Journal: Rangeland Ecology & Management

      Volume: 58

      Number: 4

      Pages: 352-359

      Summary of Methods: The effects of low to moderate cattle grazing on the number of active California ground squirrels burrows and their spatial distribution were studied for three years on the central coastal range of California (37° 35’ 47” N, 121° 42’ 47” W). Two communities (grassland, oak savanna) each received two grazing treatments (grazed, ungrazed). Each site had nine existing colonies. A squirrel colony census was taken a year before each treatment and again in the fall of each study year. Plant species, herbaceous cover and primary productivity were collected at the end of each growing season.

      Article Summary / Main Points: California ground squirrel populations declined throughout the study. No effects of low to moderate cattle grazing on California ground squirrel populations were found within the grass and oak savanna vegetation types. The reason(s) for California ground squirrel population declines is still not understood.

      Vegetation Types: California Grasslands (including all annual grasslands) Oak Woodlands

      MLRA Ecoregions: 15 Central California Coast Range

      Agrovoc Control Words: Grazing Rangelands Squirrels

      Article Review Type: Refereed

      Article Type: Experimental Research

      Keywords: cattle grazing, california grasslands, oak savanna, burrow patterns

      Annotation: Authors did not specify utilization levels, but considered the cattle usage in the area to be low to modeThis replicated study was conducted over three years; its results apply primarily to the coastal range of California and may not be as applicable to other areas. Dietary competition between cattle and California ground squirrels needs to be further studied to determine if any relationships exist. Also, the effects of different grazing intensities on these squirrel colonies are needed rate.

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