Initial Effects of a Landscape Ecology Treatment of Coniferous Forest on Small Mammals

Abstract

We present the initial response of small mammal communities and populations of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and yellow pine chipmunks (Tamias amoenus) to thinning and under-burning of mixed ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) - Douglas fir (Psuedotsuga menziesii) stands in southwestern Montana. Live-trapping on six control and six treated grids from 1992 through 1996 suggested no change in the number of species of small mammals from pre-treatment to immediately post treatment. Numbers of deer mice and yellow pine chipmunks per trap grid were greater on treated grids than on a control grid although the post treatment increase of yellow pine chipmunks was not significant. A separate study in the same area showed an increase in the number of species on treated grids with a shift from boreal redbacked voles (Clethrionomys gapperi) on a control grid to meadow voles (Microtus pensylvanicus) and long-tailed voles (M. longicaudus) on treated grids. Post treatment populations of deer mice and yellow pine chipmunks also were greater on treated grids than on a control grid.