English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Zendy Plus

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Zendy Tools

Zendy Open

The impact of the burrowing activity of the bannertail kangaroo rat (Dipodomys spectabilis) on southern New Mexico desert rangelands was investigated. The study was conducted on black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda), dropseed (Sporobolus spp.), and mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) grassland vegetation types. Mound density was highest in the black grama type, somewhat intermediate in the dropseed type, and lowest in the mesquitegrassland type. The surface area occupied by moundsaveraged 2% over all vegetation types in the study area. Plant cover was generally greater off mounds than on mounds. Annual plant cover was greater on mounds that off mounds, suggesting that activities of bannertail kangaroo rats promote the presence of annuals. Bannertail kangaroo rats (Dipodomysspectabilis) occur in great number throughout southwestern United States (Stoddard et al. 1975). These rodents feed largely on seeds which they collect in cheek pouches and store in burrows beneath their mounds. The bannertail kangaroo rat constructs large, conspicuous mounds, usually in open locations, although the rat occasionally takes advantage of protection offered by mesquite (Propsopis glandulosa), creosotebush (L.arrea tridentata), and other desert shrubs (Monson and Kessler 1940, Holdenried 1957, Schroderand Geluso 1975). These mounds provide suitable conditions for the establishment and development of annual plants which may be less desirable for livestock production on rangelands (Holdenried 1957). Furthermore, on or near mounds, vegetation may be covered by soil from burrows, which prevent plants from completing their growth cycle (Fitch and Bentley 1949). Kangaroo rats exert impacts on rangelands not only through direct forage consumption, but also through their burrowing activities. When evaluating game and livestock ranges for carrying capacity, grazing use, or rate of recovery, many researchers have paid little attention to the effect of the burrowing activities of these rodents on rangelands. Jaeger (1961) maintained that in areas where competition for forage exists between livestock and the bannertail, the large amount of food collected by the latter and stored in their mounds should be considered in estimating the number of cattle that may graze on such areas. Hawbecker (1944) challenged the contention that kangaroo rat mounds are always undesirable. He concluded that the burrowing activity of the bannertail kangaroo rats appeared to benefit the local sheep industry in California through increased production of such palatable plant species as red-stemmed filaree (Erodium cicutarium). However, Norris (1950) pointed out that Hawbecker referred only to annual forage and not to the more valuable perennial forage plants. Authors are former graduate student in Animal and Range Sciences Department. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, 88003, presently with Department of Wildlife, National Parks and Tourism, P.O. Box I3 I, Gaborne, Botswana; associate professor and professor, respectively. Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces. 88003. Journal Article 887 of the New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station. Las Cruces, N. Mex. 88003. Manuscript received October 27, 1981. JOURNAL OF RANGE MANAGEMENT 35(6). November 1962 There are no exact figures on the longevity of mounds, but Holdenried (1957) and Best (1972) stated that it took about 23 to 30 months for a characteristic mound to develop. Once abandoned, the mound collapsed within a month or so. A review of the literature reveals no information on the rate of vegetation invasion on the mounds. Current information on the impact of the burrowing activity of the bannertailed kangaroo rat seems to be limited mostly to opinions based on qualitative observatioris. At present there is a concentrated effort by individuals and government agencies to control kangaroo rat populations. These control efforts are generally based on little ecological information. It thus seems necessary to obtain quantitative information that will supplement thecurrently available qualitative body of knowledge and enhance understanding of the impact of the burrowing activity of bannertailed kangaroo rats. This is especially true in the desert rangelands of southern New Mexico, where the species abounds.

Impact of Burrowing Activity of the Bannertail Kangaroo Rat on Southern New Mexico Desert Rangelands