Abstract
-To ascertain whether shrub removal enhances habitat suitability for Stephens' kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi), we established five pairs of plots, each of which straddled a distinct boundary between coastal sage scrub and annual grassland habitats in western Riverside County, California. All aboveground portions of shrubs were removed from the shrubby halves of one plot per pair in January 1991. Rodents were censused on all plots immediately before shrub removal and again after shrub removal in October 1991 and April 1992. Vegetation was censused in April 1992 to confirm that shrub removal had reduced shrub cover. Stephens' kangaroo rat densities increased on removal plots after shrubs were removed but decreased slightly on paired reference plots (treatment x time effect, P = 0.04). We conclude that shrub control should be a component of any habitat management plan for this endangered species.
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