Conservation of the black-tailed prairie dog : saving North America's western grasslands / edited by John L. Hoogland.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Hoogland, John L.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Black-tailed prairie dog.

Black-tailed prairie dog--Conservation.

Grassland ecology--West (U.S.).

Grassland ecology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (368 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : Island Press, c2006.

Summary:

The prairie dog is a colonial, keystone species of the grassland ecosystem of western North America. Myriad animals regularly visit colony-sites to feed on the grass there, to use the burrows for shelter or nesting, or to prey on the prairie dogs. Unfortunately, prairie dogs are disappearing, and the current number is only about 2% of the number encountered by Lewis and Clark in the early 1800s. Part I of Conservation of the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog summarizes ecology and social behavior for pivotal issues such as when prairie dogs breed, how far they disperse, how they affect other organisms, and how much they compete with livestock. Part II documents how loss of habitat, poisoning, plague, and recreational shooting have caused the precipitous decline of prairie dog populations over the last 200 years. Part III proposes practical solutions that can ensure the long-term survival of the prairie dog and its grassland ecosystem, and also are fair to private landowners. We cannot expect farmers and ranchers to bear all the costs of conservation while the rest of us enjoy all the benefits. With 700 references, 37 tables, 75 figures and photographs, and a glossary, Conservation of the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog is a unique and vital contribution for wildlife managers, politicians, environmentalists, and curious naturalists.

Contents:

Intro

About Island Press

Title Page

Copyrights Page

Table of Contents

Preface

Ch. 1: Introduction: Why Care About Prairie Dogs?

Part I: Natural History of Prairie Dogs

Ch. 2: Social Behavior of Prairie Dogs

Ch. 3: Demography and Population Dynamics of Prairie Dogs

Ch. 4: The Prairie Dog as a Keystone Species

Ch. 5: Do Prairie Dogs Compete with Livestock?

Part II: Why Have So Many Prairie Dogs Disappeared?

Ch. 6: Estimating the Abundance of Prairie Dogs

Ch. 7: Attitudes and Perceptions About Prairie Dogs

Ch. 8: Past and Current Chemical Control of Prairie Dogs

Ch. 9: Methods and Economics of Managing Prairie Dogs

Ch. 10: Recreational Shooting of Prairie Dogs

Ch. 11: Conservation of Prairie Dogs in Areas with Plague

Ch. 12: Does the Prairie Dog Merit Protection Via the Endangered Species Act?

Part III: Conservation of Prairie Dogs

Ch. 13: Establishment of New Prairie Dog Colonies by Translocation

Ch. 14: A Multi-State Plan to Conserve Prairie Dogs

Ch. 15: Role of Federal Lands in the Conservation of Prairie Dogs

Ch. 16: Focal Areas for Conservation of Prairie Dogs and the Grassland Ecosystem

Ch. 17: A Proposal for More Effective Conservation of Prairie Dogs

Ch. 18: Saving Prairie Dogs: Can We? Should We?

Appendix A: Common and Scientific Names

Appendix B: Acronyms

Appendix C: Calculations for Chapter 10

Glossary

References

List of Contributors

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (p. 289-327) and index.

ISBN:

9781597268523

1597268526

9781429496933

1429496932

OCLC:

560279705