Volume 367, 1 May 2016, Pages 120–127
- a Biology Department, Grand Valley State University, 1 Campus Drive, 3300a Kindschi Hall of Science, Allendale, MI 49401, USA
- b United States Forest Service, Huron-Manistee National Forests, 605 N. Michigan Avenue, Baldwin, MI 49304, USA
- Received 30 October 2015, Revised 11 February 2016, Accepted 11 February 2016, Available online 8 March 2016
Highlights
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- Mechanical thinning and burning recruited small mammals associated with grasslands.
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- Mechanical thinning increased diversity of small mammals relative to control plots.
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- Small mammal assemblages responded within 1–2 years to mechanical thinning.
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- Brush pile retention following thinning provided refugia for small mammals.
Abstract
Oak (Quercus
spp.) savannas have declined drastically in the midwestern United
States since European settlement. Oak savanna restoration projects are
primarily driven by species closely linked to this habitat type, such as
the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis).
However, it is essential that other species are monitored during
restoration. Small mammals, due to their importance in ecosystem
function, are particularly useful to study. The United States Forest
Service is currently conducting an oak savanna restoration in the
Manistee National Forest in Lower Michigan using forest thinning and
prescribed burning. To understand management impacts on small mammal
communities, we live trapped small mammals in each of the mechanically
thinned plots (i.e., bulldozer, masticator, and shear cutter) and
control plots in five blocks over six years (2008–2013), as well as
measured vegetation variables each year. Initially, we used a
permutation multivariate analysis of variance (perMANOVA) to determine
if there were treatment and year interactions for both small mammal
community assemblages and vegetation variables. We then compared changes
in small mammal diversity, relative abundance, and vegetation variables
among treatments using exploratory randomized block design analysis of
variances (ANOVAs). Canopy cover was significantly lower in bulldozer
and shear cutter thinned plots than control plots five years following
thinning. We observed significant treatment by year interactions in how
the small mammal community responded. A large increase in relative
abundance of white-footed mice occurred one year post-thinning in all
treatments. Within 1–2 years of treatment, thirteen-lined ground
squirrels and meadow jumping mice, both open-canopy grassland species
became established on thinned plots. The retention of brush piles in
bulldozer and shear cutter plots provided important refuge habitat for
small mammals following thinning. Restoration efforts were beneficial to
the small mammal community overall and promoted grassland species to
immigrate into the restored area.
Keywords
- Small mammals;
- Thinning;
- Oak savanna;
- Quercus spp.;
- Habitat restoration;
- Michigan
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