Responses of small mammals and habitat to glyphosate application on clearcuts

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Santillo, David J.; Leslie, David M., Jr.; Brown, Patrick W.

Source:

Journal of Wildlife Management, The Wildlife Society, Volume 53, Issue 1, p.164-172 (1989)

Call Number:

A89SAN01IDUS

URL:

http://www.jstor.org/stable/3801324

Keywords:

Blarina brevicauda, Clethrionomys gapperi, Deer Mouse, masked shrew, Myodes gapperi, Peromyscus maniculatus, pygmy shrew, red-backed vole, short-tailed shrew, Sorex cinereus, Sorex hoyi

Abstract:

The authors investigated effects of herbicide-induced habitat changes on small mammals in clearcuts in northcentral Maine. Fewer small mammals were captured on glyphosate (nitrogen-phosphonomethyl glycine) (Roundup, Monsanto, St. Louis, MO)-treated clearcuts 1-3 years post-treatment compared to untreated clearcuts. Insectivores (Soricidae) comprised 72% of small mammal captures and were less abundant (P < 0.001) for all 3 years post-treatment. Herbivores (Microtinae) were less abundant 1 (P < 0.01) and 2 years (P < 0.001) post-treatment. Omnivores (Cricetinae and Zapodidae) were equally abundant on treated and untreated clearcuts. Differences in small mammal abundance paralleled herbicide-induced reductions in invertebrates and plant food and cover. Patches of untreated vegetation within herbicide-treated clearcuts provided a source of invertebrates and plant food and cover.