Habitat Selection and Response to Disturbance by Pygmy Rabbits in Utah

摘要: Habitat Selection and Response to Disturbance by Pygmy Rabbits in Utah Robert J. Edgel Department of Plant Wildlife Sciences, BYU Master Science The pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) is a sagebrush (Artemisia sp.) obligate that depends on habitats for food cover throughout its life cycle. Invasive species, frequent fires, overgrazing, conversion land agriculture, energy development, many other factors have contributed recent declines both quantity quality sagebrush-steppe required rabbits. Because the threats these believed decline populations, there need further understand habitat requirements this species how they respond disturbance. This study evaluated selection rabbits assessed response small lagomorph construction large-scale pipeline (i.e. Ruby pipeline) Utah. We collected data across at occupied sites (pygmy burrows) compared similar measurements unoccupied (random locations within where were not observed). Variables such as horizontal obscurity, elevation, percent understory composed shrubs, decadence best described between (active burrow) (randomly selected) sites. Occupied had greater amounts located higher elevations, percentage comprised less decadent sagebrush. When considering alterations or management variables should be considered enhance protect existing was project removal vegetation excavation soil continuous linear path length pipeline. area disturbed referred right way (ROW). From our assessment pipeline, we found evidence loss fragmentation result size space-use areas homeranges decreased post construction, shifted core-use away from ROW, fewer movements collared ROW. Mitigation efforts consider any action which may reduce restoration time facilitate areas.