Influence of Grazing on Habitat Associations of the Belding's Ground Squirrel
Faculty Mentor Information
Tracey Johnson
Abstract
Livestock grazing is a dominant land use of grasslands, and its impacts are still being researched as we understand more about the functional roles that various types wildlife play on these systems. Wildlife responses to various grazing intensities vary drastically across species, and should be well research to appropriately determine stocking rates that allow for healthy ecosystem function, without degrading wildlife habitat and the domestic livestock industry. Burrowing mammals, such as ground squirrels, provide numerous ecosystem services to grasslands. However, these burrowing mammals are viewed as agricultural pests and a large amount of resources are used in managing them as such. The Nature Conservancy at the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve aims to define sustainable grazing while maintaining and preserving a broad range of wildlife habitat. Monitoring differences in vegetation structure and soils characteristics of the Belding’s ground squirrel (Spermophilus beldingi) colonies across grazed and ungrazed pastures, will add valuable information about this species specific responses to grazing.
Influence of Grazing on Habitat Associations of the Belding's Ground Squirrel
Livestock grazing is a dominant land use of grasslands, and its impacts are still being researched as we understand more about the functional roles that various types wildlife play on these systems. Wildlife responses to various grazing intensities vary drastically across species, and should be well research to appropriately determine stocking rates that allow for healthy ecosystem function, without degrading wildlife habitat and the domestic livestock industry. Burrowing mammals, such as ground squirrels, provide numerous ecosystem services to grasslands. However, these burrowing mammals are viewed as agricultural pests and a large amount of resources are used in managing them as such. The Nature Conservancy at the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve aims to define sustainable grazing while maintaining and preserving a broad range of wildlife habitat. Monitoring differences in vegetation structure and soils characteristics of the Belding’s ground squirrel (Spermophilus beldingi) colonies across grazed and ungrazed pastures, will add valuable information about this species specific responses to grazing.