Small mammal recolonization of reclaimed coal surface-mined land in Wyoming

Small mammal populations were compared on unmined rangeland and reclaimed coal surface-mined land reseeded 2 years and 3-5 years previously. Eight species of small mammals were present on the 3-5-year-old reclaimed areas compared with six on 2-year-old areas and five on unmined rangeland. The masked...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of wildlife management 1984-01, Vol.48 (4), p.1255-1261
Main Authors: Hingtgen, T.M, Clark, W.R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Biomass
Coal
Deer
Demecology
Forbs
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
grasslands
Land reclamation
land restoration
Mammalia
Mammals
Mice
mined soils
population density
Rangelands
Vegetation
Young animals
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Summary:Small mammal populations were compared on unmined rangeland and reclaimed coal surface-mined land reseeded 2 years and 3-5 years previously. Eight species of small mammals were present on the 3-5-year-old reclaimed areas compared with six on 2-year-old areas and five on unmined rangeland. The masked shrew (Sorex cinereus) and northern grasshopper mouse (ONychomys leucogaster) were captured almost exclusively on 3-5-year-old reclamied land and unmined rangeland. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) dominated the community on all reclaimed areas in terms of density (13.8 ± 1.2/ha) and biomass (240.1 ± 109.1 g/ha). They composed 93.6 ± 1.9% of all small mammals caputed on 2-year-old areas and 83.2 ± 1.1% of those captured on 3-5-year-old areas. Variation in their density paralleled variations in proportions of juveniles on the recolonized areas. Deer mice also were most abundant on unmined rangeland in terms of density, but thirteen-lined groudn squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) dominated in terms of biomass. Density of recolonizing deer mice stabilized within 2 years after reclamation. After 2 years, total small mammal density remained relatively constant, and diversity of the community increased.
ISSN:0022-541X
1937-2817
DOI:10.2307/3801786