![]() Additionally, grasslands have been invaded by shrubs in areas where black-tailed prairie dogs ( C. Loss of prairie dogs has resulted in declines in species associated with the habitats they create, including the burrowing owl and mountain plover, and those dependent or heavily reliant upon prairie dogs as prey, including black-footed ferrets and ferruginous hawks ( Buteo regalis). Indeed, because prairie dog populations have undergone severe numerical reductions, their key ecological roles have been greatly diminished throughout much of their geographic range. The dramatic decline in prairie dogs has resulted in consequent losses in associated species and grassland habitat. Much of their decline is due to poisoning, introduced sylvatic plague, habitat loss, shooting 6, and increasingly, climate change in the southern portion of their range. Prairie dog populations have declined by about 98% over the last century, and are consequently identified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the state of New Mexico. Although the magnitude of these impacts can vary by prairie dog species, colony density, or other site-specific factors, prairie dogs play important ecological roles in grasslands across their range. Their colonies represent unique islands of open grassland habitat that attract numerous animals, such as burrowing owls and mountain plovers ( Charadrius montanus), and predators that rely on prairie dogs as a primary food source, such as coyotes, American badgers ( Taxidea taxus), raptors, and the highly endangered black-footed ferret ( Mustela nigripes). By grazing and clipping vegetation they create a low mat of dense forbs and grazing tolerant grasses, and dot the landscape with numerous mounds. ![]() ![]() Prairie dogs ( Cynomys spp.) play important roles in shaping the central grasslands of North America. My research seeks to address these challenges facing prairie dogs and associated species in the central grasslands of North America, and incorporates the ecological, s ocial, economic, and human dimensions. What we know about the few well-studied species suggests that burrowing mammals likely play widespread and important ecological roles, and that their loss can have cascading effects on grassland ecosystems on which both humans and wildlife depend. Human-mediated introductions of exotic species, including disease-causing organisms, and overhunting are also reducing their populations. Indeed, because grasslands provide the world’s most important habitat for agricultural and livestock production, burrowing mammals are often in direct conflict with human activities. Yet, burrowing mammal populations have declined dramatically because of human impacts. They collectively transform grassland landscapes through their burrowing and herbivory, and by grouping together socially, they create distinctive habitat patches that serve as areas of concentrated prey for many predators. These burrowing mammals often live in colonies ranging from 10s to 1000s of individuals. Examples include the phylogentically similar species of prairie dogs of North America (NA) ( Cynomys spp.), ground squirrels (Sciuridae spp.) of NA, Eurasia, and Africa, and marmots ( Marmota spp.) of NA and Eurasia, but also more distantly related but functionally similar plains vizcachas ( Lagostomus maximus), Patagonian maras ( Dolichotis patagonum) and degus ( Octodon degus) of South America, pikas ( Ochotona spp.) of Asia, ice rats ( Otomys sloggetti) and springhares ( Pedetes capensis) of Africa, and burrowing bettongs ( Bettongia lesueur) and southern hairy-nosed wombats ( Lasiorhinus latifrons) of Australia. Burrowing predators like the black footed ferret are considered an endangered species.The world’s grasslands are fundamentally shaped by an underappreciated key functional group of social, semi-fossorial, herbivorous mammals. (Courtesy NRCS)īurrowing animals like ground squirrels, prairie dogs, pocket gophers are common in the steppe grasslands of North America. \): Wild Pronghorn Antelope cross the short grass prairie of Wyoming.
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