Patterns of small mammal density and survival following ski-run development

Published source details Hadley G.L. & Wilson K.R. (2004) Patterns of small mammal density and survival following ski-run development. Journal of Mammalogy, 85, 97-104.
Share Tweet Email

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Provide woody debris in ski run area Action Link

Provide woody debris in ski run area

A controlled study in 1999–2001 of coniferous forest and adjacent meadow in Colorado, USA (Hadley & Wilson 2004) found that placing woody debris on ski slopes did not affect overall small mammal abundance and had mixed results on individual species. Differences in abundance between treatments were not tested for statistical significance. In the two years following ski run establishment, a similar number of small mammals was caught each year on a ski run with woody debris (76–77 individuals) and a run without (75–83 individuals). Red-backed voles Clethrionomys gapperi were more abundant where woody debris was added (23–43 individuals) than where no woody debris was added (1–23). Similar numbers of heather voles Phenacomys intermedius were caught in both areas (with debris: 10–16; without debris: 10–19) and there were fewer least chipmunk Tamias minimus in areas with woody debris (15–31 individual) than without (42–46 individuals). Ski runs were established in 1999. One run had one or more tree limbs placed end to end in rows across the run, with rows 3–9 m apart. The other did not contain woody debris. Small mammals were live-trapped over four consecutive days on three occasions in July–September 1999–2001.

(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)