Small Mammal Succession on Strip-mined Land in Vigo County, Indiana

Abstract

The small mammals of three strip-mined areas, which varied in the time since mining, were studied to determine the relationship between vegetative and small-mammal succession. In the most recent of the three study areas, where woody cover was lacking, Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii was the dominant species. In the intermediate area, where both open and woody habitat were present, P. maniculatus and P. leucopus were taken. In the oldest area, where woody cover was dense, only P. leucopus was taken. Herbaceous cover was not a major limiting factor for either species. P. maniculatus was most numerous in plots on soils with high pH, low soil moisture and high amounts of sand and gravel. P. leucopus was taken in highest numbers in plots with high soil moisture and low amounts of sand and gravel. Results of this study were compared with those of Verts (1957).