Monitoring small and medium-sized mammals

Authors(s): B. Miller

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Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type: progress report

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Abstract: Objectives This is a long-term monitoring project to assess the abundance and densities of selected mammal species at sites representing 5 defined habitats in GTNP. Data will provide a baseline that can be used to assess the impact of biotic and abiotic changes over time. Of particular interest is how the reestablishing wolves will change the structure of the small and medium-sized mammal community. Findings and Status We sampled small mammals through standard capture recapture techniques on two replicate grids in each of the five habitat types. Data were recorded as number of unique captures per 1000 trap-nights and as densities per hectare using Lincoln-Peterson. We trapped a total of 11,000 trap-nights. Densities for deer mice were 9/ha in sage, 3/ha in lodgepole pine, and 7/ha in grass/forb meadows. Tamias densities were 5/ha in lodgepole pine. Microtis densities were 2/ha in grass/forb meadow, 38/ha in damp grass/willow meadows, and 31/ha in wet grass/sedge/willow meadows. Because we have collected data from the sites for three years we were able to show a weak relationship between species abundance and rainfall (as of June in each year) for all the above species except deer mice in sage and Tamias in lodgepole pine. We also walked 96 kilometers of trails through the five habitat types on two occasions separated by three weeks. We collected a total of 80 coyote scats, which a geneticist is now analyzing to indentify individuals. Her recovery rate thus far is about 50%. We hope that identification of individuals allows a population estimate of coyotes in the 100 sq. km study area via Lincoln-Peterson. The three years have now given a reasonable baseline for the five habitat types in areas without wolves. While continuing in the areas without wolves, we would also like to add similar estimates in the same habitat types, but in areas with wolves.

Keywords: Grand Teton National Park, animal, mammal, population, habitat, canine, wolf, Canidae, Canis lupus, Peromyscous maniculatus, deer mouse, Microtus, vole, Muridae, Cricetidae, Boreal Redback Vole, Clethrionomys gapperi, Sciuridae, chipmunk, yellow pine chipmunk, Eutamius amoenus, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, red squirrel, Thomomys talpoides, pocket gopher, Spermophilus spp, ground squirrel, Taxidae taxus , badger, Martes americana , Mustelidae, marten, Canis latrans, coyote, Tamius amoenus, Tamius minimus, mouse, management