Small mammals of a beaver pond ecosystem and adjacent riparian habitat in Idaho

Abstract

Small mammal populations and community organization were compared between a beaver pond habitat dominated by willows, Salix and an adjacent nonwillow riparian habitat. Small mammal relative density was 3.06 times higher and standing crop biomass was 2.71 times higher in the beaver pond habitat than in the adjacent nonponded habitat. There were no pronounced differences between the two habitats in small mammal species richness or species diversity. -Authors