Jones et al. looked at the differences in rodent abundance and location between livestock grazing exclosures and currently grazed livestock pastures on the Appleton-Whittell research ranch in Arizona. Overall, species abundance was determined by specific presence of the species being trapped. Kangaroo rats are an efficient species in open grass/shrublands, so their numbers were higher in the grazed areas. Other species, however, require more cover than a grazed pasture can provide. The authors state that even kangaroo rats will decrease in areas that are overgrazed by cattle. Most of the species in this area have evolved with disturbance (fire, grazing) and proper land management should not affect the densities of these species.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.