Restoration Efforts and Prairie Dog Management at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

Date of Award

8-16-2007

Document Type

Undergraduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Env Policy Mgmt

Organizational Unit

University College, Environmental Policy and Management

Disciplines

Environmental Policy & Mgmt

First Advisor

Harold Tyus

Keywords

Prairie dog, Restoration, Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Shortgrass prairie

Abstract

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is being re-seeded to native shortgrass prairie, but the effects of prairie dog colonization on some sites may be limiting successful native plant establishment. This Capstone Project compares vegetation monitoring data and prairie dog distributions in four refuge sites to evaluate the effects of prairie dog colonization on restoration. In general, native plant abundance has increased on study plots since initiation of restoration. Localized changes in plant abundance have occurred among transects, but prairie dog densities could not be correlated with the changes. Future prairie dog expansion is cause for concern due to intensified burrowing and grazing effects. Seven recommendations are presented to aid future restoration efforts.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

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