Diversity of Small Mammals within Prairie and Forest Grids in North-Central Minnesota

Abstract

We examined the abundance of small mammals in two different areas, 6 prairie grids and 6 forest grids. In the prairie there were two grids that were considered wet and the other four were considered to be dry, being no standing water in large amounts. The forest grids included a bog which was almost completely water but for a few dry spots within the grid. We used the live trap (Sherman) method to capture and release different species of small mammals. The objective was to see if the presence or absence of woody vegetation would alter the diversity in either of the areas (Matlack 14). Also the density was determined through this study of both the prairie and the forest. The locations were visited and traps checked 3 times. Each time checked the traps that had been tripped were checked and the mammals that had been trapped were handled and recorded.