The effects of vegetative cover on the community structure of prairie rodents
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Published source details
Kotler B.P., Gaines M.S. & Danielson B.J. (1988) The effects of vegetative cover on the community structure of prairie rodents. Acta Theriologica, 33, 379-391.
Published source details Kotler B.P., Gaines M.S. & Danielson B.J. (1988) The effects of vegetative cover on the community structure of prairie rodents. Acta Theriologica, 33, 379-391.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Leave cut vegetation in field to provide cover Action Link |
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Leave cut vegetation in field to provide cover
A controlled, before-and-after study in 1983–1984 on a prairie grassland in Kansas, USA (Kotler et al. 1988) found that increasing cover, by adding cut vegetation (hay), did not increase rodent abundance. Rodent numbers were not significantly different after hay addition (19–28/census) compared to before hay addition (10–25/census). Rodent abundances in plots with no added hay likewise did not differ significantly over the same time periods (after: 14–45/census; before: 9–36/census). Three plots, 0.81 ha each, were established on brome grass Bromus inermns and prairie vegetation. One had 16 cm depth of hay added in January 1984. Two were left unmanaged. Small mammals were sampled using 100 Longworth live traps/plot. Trapping occurred over two nights, biweekly, from 12 weeks before hay addition (October 1983) until 26 weeks after hay addition (August 1984).
(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)
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