Coastal Wetlands Connected to Lake Ontario Have Reduced Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) Abundance

Greenhorn, Janet E.; Sadowski, Carrie; Holden, Jeremy P.; Bowman, Jeff

doi:10.1007/s13157-016-0874-0

Cited by 15 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…These habitats are exposed to extreme water‐level fluctuations which may affect muskrat population growth. Additionally, artificial water‐level regulation may affect muskrat abundances in wetlands (Greenhorn et al ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empirical evidence for declines in muskrat populations across the United States

Ahlers

Heske

2017

J Wildl Manag

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Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) are native to North America and widely distributed across the continent. Recent evidence and anecdotal reports suggest that muskrat populations may be declining; however, this assumption has not been rigorously evaluated. We used 42 years of muskrat harvest data (1970–2012) from 37 states to examine trends in muskrat populations across the United States. Annual harvest data are highly correlated with annual pelt prices, which must be controlled for prior to analysis. After adjusting harvest data for the effects of current‐year and 1‐year‐lagged pelt prices, we found strong support that muskrat populations have declined during this period. The slope of decline appeared stronger in the southeastern states and less pronounced in the midwestern states. Our results suggest that wildlife managers should consider active management programs for muskrat populations in regions where declines are observed. Along with recording annual muskrat harvest data, managers should also use rigorous surveys to identify changes in muskrat population abundances. Additionally, our study highlights the need for future research directed at revealing mechanistic explanations for synchronous muskrat declines across this large spatiotemporal scale. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empirical evidence for declines in muskrat populations across the United States

Ahlers

Heske

2017

J Wildl Manag

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“…"At such an exacerbated scale, muskrat herbivory may be termed as an 'eatout' [...]" [123] (143). Greenhorn et al [124], on the other hand, point out that the low number of muskrats in the Lake Ontario study area is worrying, as muskrats are generally recognized as "ecosystem engineers" and their loss has the potential to affect wetlands both biotically and abiotically. It has to be noted here that muskrats are native in North America but non-native in Europe.…”

Section: Impacts Of Constructed Wetlands On Biodiversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity Impact of Green Roofs and Constructed Wetlands as Progressive Eco-Technologies in Urban Areas

2019

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The total amount of sealed surfaces is increasing in many urban areas, which presents a challenge for sewerage systems and wastewater treatment plants when extreme rainfall events occur. One promising solution approach is the application of decentralized eco-technologies for water management such as green roofs and constructed wetlands, which also have the potential to improve urban biodiversity. We review the effects of these two eco-technologies on species richness, abundance and other facets of biodiversity (e.g., functional diversity). We find that while green roofs support fewer species than ground-level habitats and thus are not a substitute for the latter, the increase in green roof structural diversity supports species richness. Species abundance benefits from improved roof conditions (e.g., increased substrate depth). Few studies have investigated the functional diversity of green roofs so far, but the typical traits of green roof species have been identified. The biodiversity of animals in constructed wetlands can be improved by applying animal-aided design rather than by solely considering engineering requirements. For example, flat and barrier-free shore areas, diverse vegetation, and heterogeneous surroundings increase the attractiveness of constructed wetlands for a range of animals. We suggest that by combining and making increasing use of these two eco-technologies in urban areas, biodiversity will benefit.

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“…Muskrats Ondatra zibethicus are ecologically and economically important semi‐aquatic mammals whose populations appear to be declining throughout their native range in North America (Roberts & Crimmins 2010, Ahlers & Heske 2017, Greenhorn et al 2017, Gregory et al 2019). They are also an invasive species in Europe, South America, and Asia (Anderson et al 2006, Xu et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They are also an invasive species in Europe, South America, and Asia (Anderson et al 2006, Xu et al 2006). Various authors have suggested that muskrats are keystone species (Danell 1996, Nummi et al 2006, Law 2014, Brunke et al 2017) or ecosystem engineers (Toner et al 2010, Mott et al 2013, Bridgewater & Aricò 2016, Greenhorn et al 2017, etc.). Terminology can have significant conservation implications (Fischer et al 2015), so it is important to avoid imprecise or misleading jargon.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do muskratsOndatra zibethicusaffect ecosystems? A review of evidence

Bomske

Ahlers

2020

Mammal Review

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Muskrats Ondatra zibethicus are reported to have wide‐ranging effects on wetland habitats, sometimes earning them the labels ‘keystone species’ or ‘ecosystem engineers’. We conducted an extensive review of the scientific literature and evaluated evidence for muskrats as potential keystone species or ecosystem engineers, and more generally, their known impacts on wetland ecosystems. We identified 363 publications (peer‐reviewed articles, books, theses, and reports) regarding muskrats, 202 of which were in an ecological context. Only 6% (n = 13) of these explicitly considered muskrats as ecosystem engineers (n = 9) or keystone species (n = 4). Our review found that muskrat populations may have broad effects on both wetland flora and fauna. However, studies generally occurred over small spatiotemporal scales and used dissimilar methods and reporting, which limited our inference regarding muskrats’ influence on wetland ecosystems. Research explicitly identifying muskrats as ecosystem engineers or keystone species is limited, but published evidence suggests that muskrats may have an effect on plant species diversity and habitat heterogeneity, which in turn may influence other animal species. However, long‐term and experimental research is needed to uncover impacts that muskrats have on ecosystems.

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Coastal Wetlands Connected to Lake Ontario Have Reduced Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) Abundance

Cited by 15 publications

References 49 publications

Empirical evidence for declines in muskrat populations across the United States

Empirical evidence for declines in muskrat populations across the United States

Biodiversity Impact of Green Roofs and Constructed Wetlands as Progressive Eco-Technologies in Urban Areas

How do muskratsOndatra zibethicusaffect ecosystems? A review of evidence

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