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2.0 Fauna 2.1 Introduction The diversity of plant communities occurring on the Hayden Gulch study site creates a mosaic of wildlife habitats. A variety of animal species are found in these habitats, either as permanent residents or seasonal visitors. The following sections discuss the major vertebrate animals ~ present on or near the study site, their pertinent ecol- ogical requirements and use of the Hayden Gulch natural resources. 2.2 Methods 2.2.1 Inventory Techniques I The wildlife populations of the study site and adjacent areas were inventoried by quantitative field census techniques, scat and track analysis, and by direct observation. Quanti- tative census techniques were used only for small mammals and birds. The field inventory was completed during late fall and early winter 1976. A comprehensive literature review, extensive r: discussions with Colorado Division of Wildlife personnel re- sponsible for management of this area, and consultations with ecologists at state universities and area consulting firms were undertaken to predict wildlife usage of the area during other seasons of the year. I 2.2.2 Small Mammal Inventory Techniques i Live-trapping was used to inventory the small mammal i populations of the major plant communities: aspen, oak, I_ sagebrush-snowberry and chokecherry-snowberry (see Section 1.0 for a discussion of these communities). Sherman live traps were set in a matrix array. Each trap was spaced fifteen meters apart in a 7x7 arrangement within each plant community. The transition area bet~•~een plant communities (ecotone) was avoided so as to census those species ~ characteristic to the plant community. The area encompassed i by the forty-nine trap grid arrangement was 8,100 square meters. L The aspen and chokecherry-snowberry communities were censused for three consecutive days, October 6-8, 1976. The oak, sagebrush-snowberry and aspen communities were October 15-16, 1976. week for two days d th followin t , g e rappe v -37-