PrincipAL investigators
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Dr. Laura Prugh (PI), University of Washington Dr. Justin Brashares (co-PI), ESPM, UC Berkeley Dr. Katie Suding (co-PI), University of Colorado, Boulder |
Giant kangaroo rat
J. Roser |
Summary
The Carrizo Plain Ecosystem Project (CPEP) is a long-term study built around the endangered giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens) but designed to understand relationships among the many species of plants and wildlife that inhabit the Carrizo ecosystem. We use replicated cattle and rodent exclosures to evaluate the role of grazing as a management tool and to determine how kangaroo rats affect native grassland restoration. Quantifying species interactions in this system will help managers predict how their decisions may affect individual species and whole food webs.
Methods
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In 2007, we built 10 cattle exclosures in a large annually-grazed pasture (Center Well). Inside each 1.96-ha cattle exclosure, we built a 400-m2 kangaroo rat exclosure. Additionally, we built 10 kangaroo rat exclosures in a large pasture that is not grazed by cattle (Swain). In 2014 we used 18 of these study plots to apply precipitation treatments to the paired kangaroo rat exclosures and control plots (see below). To monitor the response of grassland flora and fauna to these experimental treatments, we conduct the following each year:
1) Giant kangaroo rat mark-recapture surveys 2) San Joaquin antelope squrirrel mark-recapture surveys 3) Reptile line transect surveys 4) Bird point counts 5) Predator and lagomorph spotlight surveys 6) Invertebrate pitfall trapping 7) Vegetation composition and biomass quadrats 8) Native plant restoration plots linksprecipitation plotspublications and protocols |
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