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Zapus hudsonius preblei Interim Survey Guidelines, May 27, 1997 6
<br /> In order to gain more information about the ecology, ethology, and habitat preference of
<br /> Preble's, the following information must be collected and reported for each site surveyed (a
<br /> sample data form is attached). Color photographs of survey sites enhance the quality of the
<br /> survey report and are, therefore, strongly recommended.
<br /> a. For sites disqualified as potential Preble's habitat, describe in detail the basis on which
<br /> the site was disqualified and provide a thorough description of the site.
<br /> b. For sites requiring a survey, the following information must be collected. This
<br /> information can be brief and qualitative for sites where Preble's is not found (a few
<br /> words, a phrase, or a descriptive sentence is sufficient).
<br /> 1. List the most frequent or dominant plant association of both the overstory and
<br /> understory, vegetation (e.g., overstory of mature cottonwood trees with an
<br /> understory of orchard grass/smooth brome); estimate cover of grass, forb, rock,
<br /> bare ground, and litter depth; and presence of logs, debris, rocky cover, etc;
<br /> 2. Describe the plant community, including a qualitative assessment of dominance
<br /> (e.g., riparian willow community, willows dominant, with native grasses,
<br /> Deschampsia caespitosa, and sedges), its seral stage, the canopy coverage, and
<br /> height of plants. All animal occurrences of potential interest (especially potential
<br /> predators such as domestic cats) that are trapped, seen, or suspected (from scats,
<br /> tracks, sightings, fur, carcasses, etc.) will be noted on field and final survey
<br /> reports.
<br /> 3. Describe the ecological condition, management history, and current land use of the
<br /> site (such disturbances as cultivated fields, old gravel mine, fire, good condition
<br /> grassland with winter cattle grazing, recently flooded stream edge, etc.).
<br /> 4. Describe the geomorphology and topography of the site, including, for example,
<br /> the nature of the material (e.g., alluvium), the landscape position (e.g., bench
<br /> above old stream bed, etc.), slope, elevation, relation to drainage system (e.g.,
<br /> associated wet meadow, streambank, irrigation ditch, seep, etc.), aspect, etc..
<br /> 5. Describe any other site characteristics that appear relevant to understanding the
<br /> ecology, population biology, or distribution of Preble's (e.g., special microhabitats
<br /> where traps might have been placed within the general habitat type and note
<br /> differences in species caught there, note weather conditions at the time the traps
<br /> were in operation and just preceding the trapping effort).
<br /> 6. Describe proximity and degree of disturbance and/or use (if possible) of man-made
<br /> structures (e.g., biking/hiking trails, highways, heavy machinery, maintained golf
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