The Effects of Campgrounds on Small Mammals in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, Utah

• Main Author: Clevenger, Gregory A.
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@USU 1977
• Subjects: campground; mammals; canyonlands; arches; Life Sciences; Other Life Sciences
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/1661; https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2660&context=etd

Campground use in our national parks is increasing yearly, but little quantitative data are available concerning the impact this use is having on the ecology of the campground and surrounding area. This paper reports on some of the effects of campgrounds on small mammal populations in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, Utah. Data collection consisted of live-trapping from April to November, 1975 (12,337 trap-nights). The populations of Ordls kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ordii), antelope ground squirrels (Ammospermophilus leucurus), deer mice (Peromyscus spp.), woodrats (Neotoma spp.), Colorado chipmunks (Eutamias guadrivittatus), and desert cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii) inhabiting campgrounds were compared with non-campground control areas. Squaw Flat campground in Canyonlands National Park contained significantly higher populations of woodrats and Colorado chipmunks than the control. Devills Garden campground in Arches National Park exhibited significantly higher populations of deer mice, but a lower population of woodrats than the control. No significant difference was found between campgrounds and control areas for all other species. Occurrence of species in the campground and control areas was identical.