Abstract
Terrestrial small mammals occupy a variety of temperate and boreal forests in North America and Eurasia and contribute to biodiversity within these ecosystems. Researchers commonly use a variation of removal trapping to sample small-mammal populations and communities in these systems. However, it is not known if recurrent removal sampling might bias abundance estimates or alter the very populations under study. We addressed 2 questions: (1) are estimates of population size and species richness and diversity gained from removal trapping different from those based on live-trapping? and (2) what residual impact does removal trapping have on small-mammal populations and communities, as revealed by live-trapping? In 2 experiments (summer 2004 and autumn 2005), we compared undisturbed controls (non-removal) with removal sampling for 5-, 10-, and 30-night periods. Total abundance estimates during removal periods were dramatically higher (up to 3-fold) on non-removal than removal sites in both experiments. Mean abundance of the 2 most common species, deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) and northwestern chipmunk (Neotamias amoenus), were substantially higher on non-removal than removal sites in the autumn experiment. The longer the removal interval, the deeper the degree of departure from non-removal levels of abundance. Species richness during removal periods also followed the pattern of abundance, whereby new, uncommon species appeared on removal sites, but not non-removals, during the autumn experiment. The residual impact of removal trapping, as revealed by live-trapping, indicated that abundance estimates were up to 4.5-fold higher on non-removal than post-removal sites and continued for at least 1 month as the small mammal community reorganized itself via immigration and settlement. Species diversity was still significantly different among removals 8 months after the autumn removal period. Removal-trapping over variable lengths (5 to 30 nights) may not provide an accurate picture of the abundance or diversity of small mammals.
Recommended Citation
Sullivan, Thomas P. and Sullivan, Druscilla S.
(2013)
"Influence of Removal Sampling of Small Mammals on Abundance and Diversity Attributes: Scientific Implications,"
Human–Wildlife Interactions: Vol. 7:
Iss.
1, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/ngdz-ew08
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol7/iss1/9
