Effects of haying and old-field succession on small mammals in tallgrass prairie

Land use practices have created a mosaic of habitats that in some ways resemble the presettlement prairie mosaic. To examine the effects of land use practices on habitat use by small mammals, trapping was done in native, hayed and old-field prairies in E-central Kansas. Relative abundance of all small mammals was highest in the old field and lowest in the hayfield. The high relative abundance of Sigmodon hispidus and Peromyscus leucopus in the old field may be explained by heterogeneity of vegetation, and prevalence of forbs and woody plants. Microtus ochrogaster and Blarina hylophaga had higher relative abundance in the native prairie than the other species, possibly due to higher vegetation cover. The low relative abundance of small mammals in the hayfield suggests the importance of vertical structure and canopy cover of vegetation, particularly for M. ochrogaster and S. hispidus. Land use mosaic may affect the structure and composition of small mammal communities in a fashion similar to that of the natural prairie mosaic.