Effects of Soil Disturbance on Small Mammal Capture Rates

Abstract

Small mammal trap-sites often are prepared to enable trap placement on a level surface. This is frequently accomplished by scraping one's foot across the substrate. Soil disturbance at individual trap-sites may increase rodent capture probability (Sensu Thompson 1982). Whereas several studies since Price (1978) have investigated microhabitat effects, none have quantitatively examined the effect of soil disturbance caused by trap-site preparation on small mammal capture rates. Jorgensen and Demarais (1999) hypothesized that disturbance may cause a qualitatively different trap response by small mammals in open microhabitats compared to those covered by shrubs and detritus.