Comparison of rodent communities of native brushland, replanted, and secondary succession sites in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

Authors

Mitchell Allen Sternberg, University of Texas-Pan American

Date of Award

5-2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Frank W. Judd

Second Advisor

Dr. Timothy Brush

Third Advisor

Dr. Robert I. Lonard

Abstract

I compared small mammal communities between mature brushlands, replanted brushlands, and secondary succession sites from November 1998 to December 1999 to evaluate revegetation efforts in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. I determined rodent community characteristics of the three habitat types. The mature brushland and replanted habitats had similar species diversities and both were significantly higher than the secondary succession habitat. Species diversity was highest at the replanted edge grid during Winter. The current replanting method provides a more diverse rodent community than does natural succession from fallow fields. Wildlife monitoring should be extended to other taxonomic guilds so the success of revegetation efforts can be further evaluated.

Comments

Copyright 2001 Mitchell Allen Sternberg. All Rights Reserved.

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Granting Institution

University of Texas-Pan American