Relationship between habitat characteristics and densities of southern Idaho ground squirrels

Lohr, Kristin; Yensen, Eric; Munger, James C.; Novak, Stephen J.

doi:10.1002/jwmg.541

Cited by 11 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…This finding may be an outcome of higher dispersal rates from alluvial soils, higher mortality rates on alluvial soils, or a combination of both. Similarly, soils influence habitat associations (Lohr et al ., ) or burrow structure (Laundré & Reynolds, ) in other burrowing mammals, suggesting that soils should more often be incorporated into habitat suitability models for burrowing species (Hennessy et al ., ). Taken together, these findings strongly indicate that soils that support burrow excavation are more suitable for ground squirrels and will promote establishment of translocated or naturally dispersing squirrels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Capturing pests and releasing ecosystem engineers: translocation of common but diminished species to re‐establish ecological roles

Swaisgood

Montagne

Lenihan

et al. 2019

Animal Conservation

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Translocation of abundant but declining ecologically important species for re‐establishing more sustainable ecosystem function is a neglected but promising form of conservation intervention. Here, we developed a translocation program in which we capture pests and release ecosystem engineers, by relocating California ground squirrels Otospermophilus beecheyi from areas where they are unwanted to conserved lands where they can perform ecosystem services such as burrowing and vegetation alteration. We accomplished this using an experimental approach in which some factors were measured or experimentally manipulated, while others were held constant. We translocated 707 squirrels and examined survival and movement patterns as a function of several translocation tactics and ecological factors. We released squirrels at 9 different plots with varying ecological contexts and at each plot experimentally manipulated post‐release habitat using mowing, mowing plus the use of augers to establish starter burrows, and controls that remained unmanipulated. The most influential variables affecting short‐term survival, dispersal, and long‐term persistence were factors relating to soils and vegetation structure. Translocated squirrels had higher initial survival on plots where dense exotic grasses were experimentally altered, greater dispersal when released at sites with less friable clay soils, and improved long‐term persistence at sites characterized by more friable soils associated with metavolcanic than alluvial geological layers. Squirrel persistence was also improved when translocations supplemented previous translocation sites than during initial translocations to sites containing no resident squirrels. Our results demonstrate how California ground squirrels can be successfully translocated as part of a larger objective to favorably alter ecological function in novel grassland ecosystems dominated by non‐native vegetation. In broader context, our study highlights the importance of testing release strategies, and examining habitat variables and restoration techniques more closely when selecting release sites to improve translocation outcomes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Capturing pests and releasing ecosystem engineers: translocation of common but diminished species to re‐establish ecological roles

Swaisgood

Montagne

Lenihan

et al. 2019

Animal Conservation

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“…Fish and Wildlife Service, 2003; Yensen et al, 2008; Lohr et al, 2013). In recent years, the number of occupied locations and subpopulations has remained relatively stable, while the number of mature individuals appears to fluctuate according to several-year cycles (Evans Mack, personal communication).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementary Network-Based Approaches for Exploring Genetic Structure and Functional Connectivity in Two Vulnerable, Endemic Ground Squirrels

et al. 2017

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The persistence of small populations is influenced by genetic structure and functional connectivity. We used two network-based approaches to understand the persistence of the northern Idaho ground squirrel (Urocitellus brunneus) and the southern Idaho ground squirrel (U. endemicus), two congeners of conservation concern. These graph theoretic approaches are conventionally applied to social or transportation networks, but here are used to study population persistence and connectivity. Population graph analyses revealed that local extinction rapidly reduced connectivity for the southern species, while connectivity for the northern species could be maintained following local extinction. Results from gravity models complemented those of population graph analyses, and indicated that potential vegetation productivity and topography drove connectivity in the northern species. For the southern species, development (roads) and small-scale topography reduced connectivity, while greater potential vegetation productivity increased connectivity. Taken together, the results of the two network-based methods (population graph analyses and gravity models) suggest the need for increased conservation action for the southern species, and that management efforts have been effective at maintaining habitat quality throughout the current range of the northern species. To prevent further declines, we encourage the continuation of management efforts for the northern species, whereas conservation of the southern species requires active management and additional measures to curtail habitat fragmentation. Our combination of population graph analyses and gravity models can inform conservation strategies of other species exhibiting patchy distributions.

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“…, Lohr et al. ), we expected a strong and positive relationship with cover of Sandberg bluegrass (POSE), and a positive relationship with total species richness, non‐POSE native perennial grasses (NPG), exotic (i.e., planted via restoration) perennial grasses (EPG), and native forbs (NF). In our ground squirrel occupancy analysis, we only included a few vegetation groups (i.e., POSE, EPG, and total species richness) because we expected the more abundant functional groups to influence occupancy.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…, Lohr et al. ). Our data were collected from years with below average annual precipitation in the preceding year (i.e., 96 and 114 mm for 2012 and 2013, respectively).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Occupancy and abundance of predator and prey: implications of the fire‐cheatgrass cycle in sagebrush ecosystems

et al. 2016

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Abstract. Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) ecosystems are declining due to biological invasions and changes in fire regimes. Understanding how ecosystem changes influence functionally important animals such as ecosystem engineers is essential to conserve ecological functions. American badgers (Taxidea taxus) are an apex predator and ecosystem engineer in that they redistribute large amounts of soil within sagebrush ecosystems. Piute ground squirrels (Urocitellus mollis) are also an ecosystem engineer as well as an essential prey resource for many predators, including badgers. Our research objective was to evaluate the relative importance of biological invasions and fire, abiotic factors, and biotic factors on badgers and ground squirrels. We sampled 163 1-ha plots during April-June across a gradient of burn histories within a 1962 km 2 study area in southern Idaho, USA. At each plot, we characterized occupancy of ground squirrels and badgers and relative abundance of ground squirrels. Additionally, we characterized soil texture, climate, connectivity and dispersal potential, fire frequency, grazing, and cover of many plant species including a highly invasive exotic annual grass (cheatgrass; Bromus tectorum). We used an integrated approach to evaluate competing hypotheses concerning factors influencing occupancy and abundance. Results suggested that occupancy of ground squirrels was positively associated with long-term precipitation, dispersal potential, and fine-grained soil. Abundance of ground squirrels was positively associated with fine-grained soil, but negatively associated with cheatgrass, fire frequency, agriculture, and shrub cover. Badger occupancy was positively associated with ground squirrel occupancy and agriculture, which indicated affinity to prey. Our results provide insight into the relative influence of abiotic and biotic factors on predator and prey, and highlight how effects change across different population parameters. Our research suggests that widespread environmental change within sagebrush ecosystems, especially the firecheatgrass cycle (e.g., invasion of cheatgrass and increased fire frequency) and human land disturbances, are directly and indirectly influencing ground squirrels and badgers. However, we also found evidence that efforts to mitigate these stressors, for example, establishing bunchgrasses postfire, may provide targeted conservation strategies that promote these species and thus preserve the burrowing and trophic functions they provide.

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Relationship between habitat characteristics and densities of southern Idaho ground squirrels

Cited by 11 publications

References 44 publications

Capturing pests and releasing ecosystem engineers: translocation of common but diminished species to re‐establish ecological roles

Capturing pests and releasing ecosystem engineers: translocation of common but diminished species to re‐establish ecological roles

Complementary Network-Based Approaches for Exploring Genetic Structure and Functional Connectivity in Two Vulnerable, Endemic Ground Squirrels

Occupancy and abundance of predator and prey: implications of the fire‐cheatgrass cycle in sagebrush ecosystems

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