Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
49. Cornely, J. E., C. M. Britton, and F. A. Sneva. 1983. Manipulation of flood
meadow vegetation and observations on small mammal populations. Prairie
Nat. 15:16-22.
The effects of manipulating flood meadow vegetation at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, OR, by burning, haying, and grazing were compared. Responses of small mammals, which comprise a portion of the raptor food base, were also monitored. Fall burning decreased accumulated litter and standing dead vegetation, resulting in the greatest subsequent vegetation yield and height of any treatment. Fire induced immediate reductions in small mammal numbers by altering habitat, but populations had recovered by the firat post-burn growing season. [K-L-S]