In this Texas study, Weltzin et al. determined the effects of prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) on herbaceous vegetation in a southern mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. They measured herbaceous standing crop, species composition, and plant species diversity on and off a prairie dog colony to evaluate the response of the plant community to intense grazing pressure by black-tailed prairie dogs and associated fauna. Results showed that total live herbaceous standing crop was 3 times to 4 times greater off the prairie dog colony than on the colony in 1988 and 1989, respectively. Midgrass biomass was 6 and 15 times greater off-colony than on-colony in 1988 and 1989, respectively. Shortgrass biomass did not differ between on-colony and off-colony zones in either year. Principal components analysis revealed plant species distribution patterns were attributable to colonization by prairie dogs. The activities of prairie dogs and associated fauna substantially altered the relative distribution, abundance, and composition of aboveground herbaceous vegetation at this mixed-grass prairie site.
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