Effects of the Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius) on Rangeland

Abstract

Gophers reduced forage production by 18 to 49% on sands and silty range sites in western Nebraska. Determination of percentages of the soil surface that were bare, covered by litter, and occupied by plant bases showed that gopher-disturbed areas contained greater percentages of bare soil and litter than did undisturbed areas. Basal cover of vegetation was highest on undisturbed areas. Frequency of vegetation on gopher mounds of different age was determined. Most perennial grasses increased in frequency on mounds with increasing mound age, while annual grasses and forbs decreased.