Coggins and Conover determined the effects of pocket gophers (Thomomys spp.), herbivore grazing, and the combination of the two, on aspen (Populus tremuloides) regeneration through use of grazing exclosures and baited small mammal traps. Gophers alone did not affect the growth, height, death, or girdling of aspen; whereas browsing by ungulates, or the combination of ungulates and gophers reduced sucker height, and growth. These results indicate that ungulate browsing, and not pocket gopher herbivory or activity, was limiting aspen regeneration and that controlling pocket gophers would not benefit aspen at this site.
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