Effects of Low-Altitude Aircraft Overflights on the Desert Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis arsipus) and its Small Mammal Prey on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, Arizona, 1991-1994

Abstract

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Devis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 222024302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (07040188), Washington, DC 20503. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank)2. REPORT DATE February 1995 REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVEREDFinal -November 1990 to February 1995 TITLE AND SUBTITLEEffects of Low-Altitude Aircraft Overflights on the Desert Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis arsipus) and its Small Mammal Prey on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, Arizona, 1991-1994 Ann E. Bowles,%hn Francine,*Samantha Wisely,*! Scott Yaegef*;*Lee McClenaghan Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)Hubbs 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)There has been public concern that wildlife could be affected by military training activities. Of particular interest was the hypothesis that noise from military aircraft would disrupt the ecological balance between predator and prey by giving one or the other an advantage. To gauge these effects, this study was conducted under an Air Force Range in an area receiving levels of exposure higher than normally encountered under a Military Training Route. A nearby control site was exposed to much lower levels of noise. Noise monitors recorded actual exposure, and hearing of one heteromyid species, the kangaroo rat, was measured in situ. A total of 14,455 trap-nights were spent monitoring nocturnal small mammal communities on exposed and control plots. Rodent species diversity, numbers, reproductive activity, recruitment, mean weights, and survival were measured. The kit fox, a predator, was also examined. Although differences were uncovered between kit fox and smal mammal populations between the control and exposed areas, none was large, and none was at odds with the most parsimonious natural explanations. If the effects observed are assumed to be the result of aircraft noise exposure, the consequences to rodents and fox populations were smaller in magnitude than the natural variability observed during the course of the study.14. SUBJECT TERMS acoustics, noise effects, noise impacts, ecological balance, desert kit fox Reproductive activity in male (top) and female (bottom) Chaetodipus penicillatus on exposed and control plots on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, Arizona. ... 81 igure 5-10 Seasonal rates of recruitment for Dipodomys merriami on exposed and control plots on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, Arizona 82 igure 5-11 Seasonal rates of recruitment for Perognath...