Laundre measured the effects of ground squirrel (Spermophilus townsendii) burrows on soil moisture, sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) production, and western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) production, at sites with no ground squirrel burrows, natural burrows, and artificial burrows. Burrows increased soil moisture levels and soil moisture levels were directly related to plant production. Therefore, production of big sagebrush was greater at sites where it was growing near a natural burrow and western wheatgrass production was greater at sites with 6 artificial burrows within a 1 m2 plot. Burrows and the presence of ground squirrels may not only affect plant production through changes in soil moisture because soil disturbance and the inputs of fecal and plant matter around burrows may also enhance plant production. Laundre concludes that the added moisture from spring recharge at ground squirrel burrows can increase plant productivity in a cool desert environment.
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