FNR 24000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Prairie Dog, Squirrel, Invasive Species
12 Oct 2018
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Document Summary
Uch species often referred to as (cid:862)pests(cid:863) Land managers and farmers have blurred the lines. Native species in their native ranges considered pests. Native species evolved to perform key roles in native ecosystems. Designating native species as pests creates tension between management and conservation plans. Across the world, small mammals are considered pests in their native ranges because people a believe they. Family sciuridae (squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, and prairie dogs) Prairie dog towns-connected series of burrows that can each be 16-33 feet long and 6-10 feet deep, the entrance (dome crater) can be 8-12 inches high. The town can span for 100s of acres. Multiple family units comprise the town (15-26) Family comprised of 1 adult breeding male, 2-3 breeding females, 1-2 male offspring and 1-2 female offspring. Each male defends a territory within the town. Prairie dogs directly and indirectly influence grassland systems via pathways: Grazing vegetation-trim vegetation, alter plant community structure.
