Small—mammal population changes were measured for 5 yr (1970—1974) by live trapping on broadcast burned western larch (Larix occidentalis)/Douglas—fir (Pseudotsuga menzielsii) clear—cuts and in uncut timber on a north and a south slope in western Montana. Four species comprised 96% of the 1324 animals caught: deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) 42%, red—backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi) 27%, red—tailed chipmunks (Eutamias ruficaudus) 22%, and long—tailed voles (Microtus longicaudus) 5%. Deer mice and chipmunks were common on clear—cut and timber plots. The red—backed vole and long—tailed voles were associated with moist sites but showed local allopatry. The red—backed voles were present only under tree canopy and the long—tailed vole was found only in absence of tree canopy. A hard burn effect was to eliminate most of the organic mantle and all small mammals except deer mice, who existed as the single species for 2 yr, and as 80—90% of numbers for 5 postburn yr. A light burn which left duff intact was associated with retention of species diversity and a low initial postburn (2 yr) mammal population, followed by the largest increases. Numbers of deer mice varied inversely with numbers of red—backed voles in the timber. Deer mice increased sharply on all plots the first fall after a heavy conifer seed crop, an occurrence reported by other workers. From these pattern observations it is theorized that red—backed voles may dominate deer mice, but a heavy seed crop can temporarily enhance competitive standing of deer mice. An open, xeric, pioneering situation (hard burn) was conducive to persistently high deer mouse populations. The most obvious habitat feature associated with an inverse spatial relationship between the two voles was tree canopy. The long—tailed vole may be further discriminated against by drier habitats. Clear—cutting appeared to be the principal determinant of total population size, but burn intensity seemed to influence species composition.
In a 7—year study on Black Mesa, Colorado, elevation 10,000 ft 2,4—D herbicide treatment initially reduced forb abundance and northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) populations 80% to 90%. Both forbs and pocket gophers remained at low levels on one area but returned to pretreatment levels on the other area. The decline in pocket gopher numbers was caused by an inability to survive where their preferred food (forbs) was eliminated by herbicide treatment. The decline was not caused by movements of the animals from sprayed areas, or by direct or indirect toxicity of 2,4—D. The common grasses offer, at best, only a marginal diet for northern pocket gophers; only succulent grasses or those bearing corms or rhizomes yield a subsistence diet. Limited sampling did not indicate that the spray treatment affected the numbers of other small mammals.
JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. This content downloaded from 205.133.226.104 on Wed, 30 Dec 2015 19:46:09 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions moved across several windfalls and disappeared. About 8 minutes elapsed between initial and terminal sightings. The marten's agility, described by Grinnell et al. (op. cit.: 191) as a "striking air of lightness .... ," was obvious in all movements of the observed animal.-CURIS H. HA.LVORSON, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missoula, Montana. Received 28 October 1959. NOTES ON BEHAVIOR OF MARTENThe preceding comments of Halvorson (J. Mamm., 42: 111, 1961) on behavior of the marten, Martes americana, in Colorado recall an experience of mine with this species in the Many Glacier section of Glacier National Park, Montana. Several times a week, with parties of tourists, I visited the area of Cataract Creek, where the stream flows down from Hidden Falls to merge with the outlet of Grinnell Lake. The site is at an elevation of 5,050 feet, heavily forested with Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir and alpine fir. The area remains snowbound well into July. It is frequented by red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum), black bears (Ursus americanus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and such birds as blue grouse (Dendrogapus obscurus), water ouzels (Cinclus mexicanus), winter wrens (Troglodytes troglodytes) and varied thrushes (Ixoreus naevius). My notes of 16 August 1954-a cool, rainy day-record a fine view, at 11:00 AM, of a marten that "scuttled along the trail across the creek. It disappeared in the brush and, as I approached, watching in the thick conifers above, it reappeared, still on the ground, moving slowly but stealthily and apparently oblivious of me. It passed me on the trail, not 10 feet distant, did not even start when I squeaked at it, but proceeded leisurely about its business, disappeared briefly behind some willows, then crossed the footbridge and went on out of sight."Bailey (Wild Animals of Glacier National Park, 1918, p. 89), speaking of martens in this same general area, stated that they "are expert climbers, and if seen at all in the woods are most likely to be seen in the trees. ... Martens are as a rule unsuspicious and easily caught." Lechleitner (Mammals of Glacier National Park, 1955, p. 32) reports that "they often forage along the forest floor. . . . When startled they often climb quickly into the lower branches of the nearest tree where they will hiss, growl or snarl at the intruder." In the Adirondack region of New York the creature behaves similarly; Hamilton (J. Mamm., 39: 589-591, 1958) remarks that it is an animal easily trapped, and without suspicion.The marten I observed was decidedly unsuspicious and fearl...
During a 3-year study in western larch (Larix occidentalis)-Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests of northwestern Montana, 273 active nest trees of 20 hole-nesting bird species were located. Stands with major components of old-growth western lurch, ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), or black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) supported the highest density and diversity of hole-nesters. On commercial forests, managers should maintain units of old growth and prepare silvicultural prescriptions that will provide continuing replacement in the future.
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