[Download] "Changes in Vegetation Patterns and Their Effect on Texas Kangaroo Rats (Dipodomys Elator) (Report)" by The Texas Journal of Science # eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Changes in Vegetation Patterns and Their Effect on Texas Kangaroo Rats (Dipodomys Elator) (Report)
- Author : The Texas Journal of Science
- Release Date : January 01, 2009
- Genre: Engineering,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 186 KB
Description
Abstract.--Investigations of vegetation in Wichita County, Texas indicate that changes in patterns of grazing and the introduction of non-native plant species may affect populations of the Texas kangaroo rat. Intensely and moderately grazed areas were compared to each other and to a previous investigation involving an ungrazed pasture dominated by introduced Japanese brome (Bromus japonicus). Thirty Dipodomys elator were trapped at the intensely and moderately grazed sites, whereas only two animals were caught on the periphery of the ungrazed site in Wichita County. In addition, the moderately grazed site was compared to the intensely grazed site and no significant differences in vegetative richness or percentages grass and forforb were found between sites. Height of vegetation, percentage bare ground and woody species coverage were significantly different in comparisons between the two grazed sites. Because the two sites contained populations of D. elator, it appears that they can use moderately to heavily grazed habitats as burrow locations and can tolerate significant differences in vegetation height and amount of bare ground and woody vegetations. They rarely use ungrazed sites as habitat and, in a previous investigation, an ungrazed site was significantly different from the grazed sites in vegetational height, percentage bare ground, and percentage grass coverage. Grazing regimes, amount of bare ground coverage, and introduction of tall, dense-growing grasses may be important considerations in managing habitat for Texas kangaroo rats. Moderately to heavily grazed sites may provide better habitat for these state-threatened mammals. **********