Habitat Utilization Of Birds And Small Mammals In The North Fork Of The Little Snake River Drainage

Authors(s): J. J. Jennings

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Publication Date: 0000-00-00

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Location: Laramie WY

Abstract: This thesis presents results of a two-year study to determine habitat use of birds and small mammals in montane riparian areas. These riparian areas are being impacted by water diversion which may cause future change in existing habitats. To help detect these changes, habitat use by bird and small mammal species was determined. It was found that groups of birds are indicative of certain habitat types while individual species of small mammals are strongly associated with certain habitats. Six different groups of birds were delineated that defined all habitats in the study areas. Three species of small mammals, deer mouse, northern red-backed vole, and western jumping mouse, were found to be strongly associated with different habitats present on the study areas. These habitat associations may be used in the future to detect changes in riparian areas. Specific habitat use by birds and small mammals will make it possible to detect changes in habitat without the time consuming process of vegetation measurements.

Keywords: Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming, Little Snake River, Snake River, animal, bird, Aves, ornithology, mammal, Mammalia, habitat, deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus, vole, Muridae, Cricetidae, northern red-backed vole, Clethrionomys rutilus, western jumping mouse, Zapus princeps