Soil change induced by prairie dogs across three ecological sites

Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) can influence vegetation dynamics and landscape hydrology by altering soil properties, yet few studies have evaluated soil responses to prairie dog activities across a range of soil types. This study was conducted to quantify prairie dog effects on soil properties within...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Soil Science Society of America journal 2014-11, Vol.78 (6), p.2054-2060
Main Authors: Barth, C. J, Liebig, M. A, Hendrickson, J. R, Sedivec, K. K, Halvorson, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acidification
Animal behavior
Cynomys
ecosystem engineering
Herbivores
infiltration rate
landscapes
Prairie dogs
rangelands
soil depth
soil heterogeneity
soil organic carbon
soil types
Soils
Vegetation
Wildlife conservation
wildlife management
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Summary:Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) can influence vegetation dynamics and landscape hydrology by altering soil properties, yet few studies have evaluated soil responses to prairie dog activities across a range of soil types. This study was conducted to quantify prairie dog effects on soil properties within three unique ecological sites differing in soil and landscape attributes on a 1400 ha ranch near McLaughlin, SD, USA. Soil properties and infiltration rate were evaluated within thin claypan, loamy, and shallow loamy ecological sites with and without prairie dog activity, with sites corresponding to footslope, backslope, and summit/shoulder landscape positions, respectively. Prairie dog effects on soil properties differed by ecological site, with thin claypan and loamy sites exhibiting more pronounced soil responses across depths than the shallow loamy site. Within ecological sites, prairie dog activity contributed to soil heterogeneity, with on-mound areas characterized as acidified, nutrient 'hot spots' compared to off-mound and control areas. On-mound areas possessed faster infiltration rates than off-mound and control areas within loamy and shallow loamy ecological sites. Soil organic C was greater in on-mound areas compared to off-mound and control areas, but only at intermediate depths (10 to 30 cm). Results from this study suggest post-extirpation efforts to improve rangeland health should consider soil heterogeneity induced by prairie dog activity.
ISSN:0361-5995
1435-0661
DOI:10.2136/sssaj2014.06.0263