Impact of borrowing activity of the bannertail kangaroo rat on southern New Mexico desert rangeland

TitleImpact of borrowing activity of the bannertail kangaroo rat on southern New Mexico desert rangeland
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1982
AuthorsMoroka N, Beck RF, Pieper, Rex D.
JournalJournal of Range Management
Volume35
Pagination707-710
Date Published1982
Call Number00229
Keywordsarticle, articles, bannertail kangaroo rat, SEE <DIPODOMYS>, burrowing activity,Dipodomys, Dipodomys, journal, journals, management,Dipodomys, rangeland,Dipodomys, rodent, Dipodomys, burrowing activity, rodent, Dipodomys, rangeland impact, rodent,bannertail kangaroo rat
AbstractThe impact of 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 mesquite-grassland type. The surface area occupied by mounds averaged 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 than off mounds, suggesting that activities of bannertail kangaroo rats promote the presence of annuals.