| A southern red-backed vole (Clethrionomys gapperi) captured in the Medicine Bow Mountains of southeastern Wyoming.
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| This photograph shows the path of a red-backed vole that was tracked using fluorescent powder. Orange flags were placed every forty centimeters along the paths. Notice that the path leads toward and then along a piece of downed wood, which voles use as cover from predation.
Koopman |
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| Investigators |
| Doug Keinath M.Sc., Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming
Dr. Greg Hayward, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming
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What is the Issue? |
| HABITAT LOSS, PREY REDUCTION |
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Red-backed voles play a vital role in subalpine forest ecology and are the main food source for many medium-sized carnivores such as the boreal owl. The response of the red-backed vole to changes in the forest habitat, especially through timber harvesting, can influence many other animal and plant species. This study investigated changes in the red-backed vole's habitat by examining various harvesting methods. The results will enhance biologists' overall understanding of the importance of wildlife in subalpine forest ecology.
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What is our goal? |
| DETERMINING THE IMPACTS OF TIMBER HARVESTING ON KEY PREY SPECIES.
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| Red-backed voles' response to environmental change in the southern Rocky Mountains. |
Where we currently stand. |
| An understanding of habitat selection is critical to the conservation and management of species and ecosystems. The aim of this study was to investigate individual microhabitat preference among red-backed voles. Voles were live-trapped and tracked over a varied habitat gradient. The results of the field observation component were explored in light of detailed vegetation analysis. The two most consistent patterns of habitat selection were that voles preferred forested macrohabitats to regenerated harvested stands, and they also preferred coarse woody debris to other microhabitat features. Results from the study formed the basis of the M.Sc. thesis, which was successfully defended in March 2000. Published study results are forthcoming.
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