Browsing by Subject "Geomys bursarius"
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Item The Effect of the Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius) on Plant Species Diversity at Frenchman’s Bluff, Minnesota(2012-03-05) Koerner, Anna; Bollig, Blair; Lockhart, Mackenzie; Faeh, CourtneyIn a prairie ecosystem, plains pocket gophers are a major cause of plant community disturbance. Based on the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, we predicted that plant species diversity would be greater in the areas of pocket gopher mound disturbance. We also hypothesized that gopher mounds would result in a higher concentration of colonizing invasive species. We tested 1 m2 plots at Frenchmen’s Bluff, Minnesota: half containing gopher mounds and half without gopher mounds. The plots containing gopher mounds had significantly greater species richness and higher abundance of invasive species. However, the difference in diversity (quantified with the Shannon Weaver Index) between the two plots was marginally significant. These results are consistent with the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, wherein the disturbance of the gopher mound provided a greater opportunity for a larger variety of species.Item The Effects of Geomys bursarius Mound Building on Vegetation Diversity in Prairies(2010-11-30) Dexter, Sarah; Kartak, Jacob; Lindsay, Erik; Sevdy, KimIn June of 2009, in a dry prairie approximately 2 miles north of Itasca State Park in North-central Minnesota, we found that the building of mounds by Geomys bursarius significantly alters vegetation diversity. We collected our data by setting up a total of 1,200 meters of transects, which gave us an estimation of G. bursarius mounds. Additionally, we counted the species richness on 60 randomly selected mounds in our study area; we compared these to a control that lay within approximately 5 meters from the mound counted. Our data was also compared to data from previous years taken from the same area. Along with these studies we chose areas that exhibited unique vegetation and determined if their presence is linked to a disturbance to the prairie compliments of the G. bursarius. The results we found were statistically significant, proving the Geomys bursarius has great effects on prairie ecosystems.Item Effects of Gopher Disturbance on Plant Diversity in Prairie Ecosystems(2011-02-01) Knoeck, Matthew; Oetting, Jerimiah; Plafcan, Wade; Shafer, NelsBurrowing mammals can have a pronounced effect on vegetation growth and species diversity. Based on the intermediate-disturbance hypothesis, we estimate that the intermittent disturbances caused by burrowing pocket gophers (Geomys bursarius) encourages species diversity in prairie ecosystems. Mounds that result from burrowing displace vegetation and allow competition for establishment. Competition between colonizer species and competitive species reaches a coexistence maximum as vegetation compensates for this disturbance. We found that these spatially separated disturbances encouraged a higher species diversity compared to undisturbed areas.Item Effects of Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius) Mound Building on Plant Diversity(2011-02-09) Curry, Jessica; Avendano, Javier; Peterson, JulieThe plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) is a member of the order Rodentia and family Geomyidae. The effects of these subterranean herbivores on vegetation can arise from diet selection, foraging behavior, and burrow structure and dynamics. In the absence of pocket gophers there is higher soil fertility which lead to higher plant biomass, in turn reduces light availability at the surface. Our study was designed to examine the effect of gopher mounds on plant diversity. Of 256 unique patches of vegetation sampled we found that 195 (76%) were associated with a gopher mound and 61 (24%) were not associated with a mound. Of the total patches surveyed 28 (11%) were associated with new mounds, 81 (32%) with abandoned mounds, and 86 (33%) with old mounds. While the mounds may be detrimental to plant diversity while they are active, once they are abandoned by the gophers they become beneficial.Item The Effects of Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius) Mounds on Localized Vegetation Diversity(2011-02-09) Sigler, Holly; Grunzke, Danielle; Rehmann, AndrewThe plains pocket gopher’s (Geomys bursarius) burrowing activities have a significant influence on the ecosystem. This fossorial mammal can displace large volumes of soil and consequently drastically alter the surface soils chemical composition, which in turn affects the plant diversity. We measured the effects of the plains pocket gopher on a semi-arid short-grass abandoned field plot near Itasca State Park in Minnesota. Relatively few new mounds were found and thus we were unable to adequately address short-term affects. Although past research has shown a loss in overall vegetation in the short term. Long term effects included larger species diversity as a result of slowed successional processes.Item The Effects of the Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius) on Surrounding Vegetation(2011-02-09) White, Aaron; Henderson, Corey; Anderson, AnnikaThe plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) is a rodent that digs complex burrows and primarily feeds on plants. This study examines the impact that the plains pocket gopher has on vegetation patterns in an abandoned agricultural field near Itasca State Park, Minnesota. Pocket gopher mounds of varying ages were evaluated for their effects on plant species diversity. Through statistical analysis it was discovered that these mounding activities have a direct effect on species richness.Item The Effects of the Plains Pocket Gopher on Plant Diversity(2011-02-09) Bischoff, Karl; Hekrdle, Winnona M.; Maloney, ConnorThe Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius) plays a significant role in the prairie ecosystem. Researchers have identified direct and indirect effects of their activity on the plant communities in which they reside. Surveys of gopher activity and plant diversity were conducted in an experimental plot established 9 km NW of Lake Itasca, Minnesota USA. The purpose was to determine the impacts these fossorial mammals were having on the plant community on site. Statistical analysis indicated a correlation between distinct vegetation patches and the presence of gopher mounds. The short and long term effects of gopher activity include the availability of light and nutrients as well as active browsing of woody vegetation, respectively. Our findings bolster the growing body of literature on the subject, and provide further evidence that fossorial mammals may be considered the “ecosystem engineers” of the prairie biome.Item The impact of Geomys bursarius on prairie vegetation diversity in Minnesota(2010-11-30) Deets, Lauren; Grun, Hannah; Sievert, AdamPlains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius) has shown significant effects on soil alteration and plant population by the building of mounds. Typically inhabiting grasslands, prairies, and other open areas, this alteration of the soil is thought to alter the natural state of the vegetation where these gophers are present. Data from Itasca State Park, located in Clearwater County, Minnesota, were taken by; determining if distinct patches of vegetation were associated with gopher mounds, making mound classifications of random 20 meter transects, and specifically looking at differences in vegetation between abandoned mounds and control sites. Results using chi-squared and t-testing showed significant differences (P<.0001), concluding that gopher mounds play a distinct role in the alteration and diversification of vegetation within grassland habitats.Item Impact of Pocket Gophers on Long and Short Term Prairie Vegetation Diversity(2011-02-09) Do, Anh; Knoeck, Matthew; Stedman, KathrynThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) mounds on prairie vegetation. This includes long and short term succession patterns as well as plant diversity on individual mounds. We obtained data by species counts and mound counts on an old field. We found that diversity on abandoned mounds was higher than that on new or old mounds or undisturbed land. In addition, old mounds were found to have the highest proportion of distinct patches of vegetation.Item The Influence of Geomys bursarius on the Plant Diversity of an Abandoned Field(2010-11-30) Dunlap, Jane; Goreham, Seth; John, ZaraGeomys bursarius (Plains Pocket Gophers) have been shown to significantly alter the vegetation within their habitat. The purpose of our experiment was to study the short and long term effects pocket gophers have on the diversity of vegetation. The percentage of gopher mounds to total area was 9.82 %. Of those mounds 32.9% were abandoned mounds. The mean number of species on the mound was 6.7, and off the mound was 3.183. The difference in number of species on and off mounds prove to be statistically significant with a p<0.0001. From this evidence we concluded that gopher activity does affect the diversity of plant species in the field by creating unique nutrient rich patches of soil.Item The Influence of Plains Pocket Gophers, Geomys bursarius, On Vegetation Abundance and Diversity(2010-11-30) Kim, Carol; Thomes, Reggie; Halberg, Amber; Lehman, JustinIn this study we examined and quantified the effects plains pocket gophers had on vegetation. We predicted that we would see an increase in vegetation diversity on gopher mounds compared to our controls with no gopher activity. New, abandoned, and old gopher mounds covered 9.8% of our study area. We predicted the correct outcome as there was an average diversity of 3.183 plants on our control plots and more than double that with 6.700 plants on abandoned gopher mounds. This diversity is mainly due to the natural succession of plants with the pocket gophers being a natural disturbance and allowing early succession plants to grow.Item Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches to Study the Effects of Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius) Mound Building on Vegetation(2011-02-09) Nosal, Amanda; Featherstone, Bryan; Vang, NaWe explored qualitative and quantitative approaches to evaluate the impact of the plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) mounds on the plant community. We hypothesized that plant species richness would be higher on mounds than surrounding areas and that the mounds would create significant impacts on plant diversity. We categorized mounds as ―new,‖ ―abandoned,‖ or ―old,‖ measured the width of the abandoned mounds, and noted the different plant species present on the mounds and the control plots. Our results indicated that species richness is significantly increased on and near gopher mounds, and overall, gopher mounds significantly alter local plant community. This study demonstrates that the impacts of Geomys bursarius activities are just as critical as its role in the trophic web.Item Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches to Study the Effects of Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius) Mound building on Vegetation(2011-02-09) Hughes, Curtis; Sharrow, Matthew; Etheridge, RobertThe plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius), has been associated with higher levels of plant diversity in grassland areas. In order to test this prediction we conducted vegetative surveys on and off mound areas. We also counted and measured mounds along randomly chosen transects in order to get an idea of the amount of impacted area. Our results further supported this association by demonstrating the effects pocket gophers have on plant diversity. Higher plant diversity was found on or near mound areas versus off.Item Quantitative and qualitative effects of Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius) mound building on grassland vegetation in northwestern Minnesota.(2010-11-30) Harren, Steven; Gasteiger, Autumn; Kalmoe, MollyIt has been shown from previous studies that Geomys bursarius (plains pocket gopher) can have both short and long term affects on vegetation associated with their mounds. Our goal was to observe some of the effects of the plains pocket gophers on vegetation in their habitat. To see the effects of gopher mounds we took random samples of unique vegetative patches, surveyed random transects for mounds, and assessed plant diversity on gopher mounds compared to control plots in an abandoned farm field near Itasca Stat Park, MN. Our data was compared to findings of previous studies of the same area. We found that 77% of unique vegetation was associated with mounds while 23% was not. Mounds covered 9.8% of the field and had an average of 6.7 different species of plants compared with 3.18 in control plots. From our data and a comparative analysis of the previous research, we concluded that mounding by gophers does have both short and long term effects on prairie vegetation and its diversity.