Habitat use and food selection of small mammals near a sagebrush/crested wheatgrass interface in southeastern Idaho

Authors

David K. Koehler, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Falls
Stanley H. Anderson, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Laramie, Wyoming

Abstract

Habitat use and food selection data were collected for deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), montane voles (Microtus montanus), Ord's kangaroo rats (Dipodomys ordii), and Townsend's ground squirrels (Spermophilus townsendii) near a sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata )/crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) interface in southeastem Idaho. Significantly more captures occurred in the native sagebrush habitat than in areas planted in crested wheatgrass or in disturbed sites. Crested wheatgrass, a prolific seed producer, still accounted for over 30% of the total captures. Montane voles and Townsend's ground squirrels (during periods of aboveground activity) used the crested wheatgrass habitat throughout the summer, while deer mice and, Ord's kangaroo rats exhibited heavy use after seed set.

Recommended Citation

Koehler, David K. and Anderson, Stanley H. (1991) "Habitat use and food selection of small mammals near a sagebrush/crested wheatgrass interface in southeastern Idaho," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 51: No. 3, Article 7.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol51/iss3/7