Prairie Dog Coalition
 
For the life of the prairie

March 12, 2010

Research, Publications and Maps

  1. The effects of black-tailed prairie dogs on shortgrass prairie diversity
  2. Various papers from the USGS Science Center in Fort Collins, CO
  3. E The Environmental Magazine - Open Season on "Varmints" . For Saving Endangered Prairie Dogs, It's the Eleventh Hour by Fred Durso, Jr. and Jim Motavalli
  4. High Plains Stewards: Burrowing Into the Mythology about Prairie Dogs By Karl Wirsing
  5. Study Shows What Brings Tourists to Lubbock
  6. Scientist says prairie dogs appear to have their own language: An Associated Press article on Prairie Dog Coalition member Dr. Con Slobodchikoff
  7. MEXICO CITY - Conservationists have bought 46,000 acres of desert grasslands in northern Mexico in an effort to show the black-tailed prairie dog -- seen as a pest in much of the western United States --can help grazing lands thrive. An Associated Press Article. April 13, 2005. More here .
  8. Restoring the Prairie Dog Ecosystem of the Great Plains (PDF 16.1 MB) Learning from the Past to Ensure the Prairie Dog's Future "...explains the importance of the prairie dog ecosystem, documents the reasons for its decline, and offers solutions for reversing this trend."
  9. Status Of White-Tailed And Gunnison's Prairie Dogs (PDF 736k) Report prepared by Craig Knowles for National Wildlife Federation and Environmental Defense. "...investigated by conducting telephone interviews with agency people knowledgeable about these species within their area of jurisdiction. Available literature on prairie dog taxonomy, and life history and ecology was also reviewed."
  10. Prairie Dogs are a Keystone Species of the Great Plains This article by Nicole Rosmarino of the Southern Plains Land Trust gives us an overview of the prairie dog's status as a keystone species. It cites studies which link the wellfare of 33 different animal species to prairie dogs.
  11. Prairie Home Companions: Neighborly prairie dog clearings provide prime real estate for mountain plovers, but many dog towns are now ghost towns. This article from the Dec/Jan, 2004 edition of National Wildlife highlights the work of Brigham Young University zoologist Clayton White, and his group, on the mountain plover. "... Historically, the excavations and grazings of billions of prairie dogs created perfect mountain plover habitat, but prairie dog numbers are falling fast, leaving plovers and other animals in the lurch."
  12. The Effects of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs on Shortgrass Prairie Diversity The synopsis of a study conducted by Justin E. Kretzerthe with the Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.
  13. Effects of Controlling Black-tailed Prairie Dogs on Plant Production (PDF 56k) This article from the JOURNAL OF RANGE MANAGEMENT 38(5), September 1985 was written by Daniel W. Uresk a research biologist at the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station's Research Work Unit in Rapid City, SD, in cooperation with the South Dakota School of Mines. (Station headquarters is in Fort Collins. in cooperation with Colorado State University.) "...Controlling black-tailed prairie dogs on rangelands in western South Dakota did not result in a positive increase in forage production after 4 years."
  14. Ecological Review of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs and Associated Species In Western South Dakota (PDF 56k) This article from Great Basin Naturalist 50(4), 1990, pp. 339-345 was written by Jon C. Sharps of Wildlife Systems, and Daniel W. Uresk of the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. "...Prairie dog colonies create and enhance habitat for many wildlife species; in western South Dakota 134 vertebrate wildlife species have been documented on prairie dog towns. Scientific evidence strongly suggests that prairie dogs are valuable components of the prairie ecosystem."

Maps

  1. Black Tailed Prairie Dog Focus Area Map, by Jonathan Proctor Predator Conservation Alliance published this focus area map based on the locations of large blocks of suitable habitat on publicly owned lands, occupied and unoccupied.
  2. Ferret Recovery Area in Montana As the most endangered mammal in North America, and because of it's close association with the prairie dog, the black-footed ferret's recovery is important for the life of the prairie. This map By Jonathan Proctor, Grassland Program Associate, shows the ferret recovery area in Montana along with prairie dog towns that have been closed to shooting. (large view of map ).