Publication Date

2016

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Jones, Holly P.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

LCSH

Grasses--Reintroduction; Revegetation--Reintroduction; Prairie plants--Reintroduction; Grassland plants--Reintroduction

Abstract

The restoration of tallgrass prairies is often centered on reestablishing the native vegetation structure with only minor efforts directed to the fauna that inhabit these areas. The reinstatement of traditional disturbance regimes of fire and grazing bison is a critical component to the active management of tallgrass prairies, and its subsequent effects on both flora and fauna in remnant prairies is well documented. Understanding the role of small mammal populations and how they are affected by varying grazing and fire management strategies can assist in the holistic evaluation of restoration efforts in sites currently undergoing active restoration. Peromyscus and Microtus species play an important role in the upper tropic level dynamics of tallgrass prairie ecosystems through influencing the vegetation structure via herbivory, predating upon seeds and various invertebrate species and as prey for larger fauna. Mark and recapture data has provided a landscape-scale test for how restored tallgrass prairies with different management strategies recover from stressors and disturbances. Abundance and diversity are correlated with more floristically diverse remnant quality sites. Results indicate that there is a specific response for Peromyscus and Microtus species to varying measures of vegetation composition and precipitation in actively restored and managed tallgrass prairies in Illinois. Seasonal fluctuations in the community composition of small mammals is documented at all sites with a varied assemblage occurring within sites that are grazed by bison. Grazing had no impact on species richness, abundance or diversity on the landscape scale. Peromyscus species' apparent survival in this restored network of tallgrass prairie is dependent on time with a varied recapture probability by sex. Logistic regression models provide managers with an equation by which they can estimate the suitability of a given restoration for small mammal diversity and abundance targets though direct environmental measures.

Comments

Advisors: Holly P. Jones.||Committee members: Nicholas A. Barber; Richard B. King.||Includes bibliographical references.||Includes illustrations and map.

Extent

v, 75 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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