Influence of Range Seeding on Rodent Populations in the Interior of British Columbia

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the influence of range seeding on rodent populations inhabiting cutover lodgepole pine forest land in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. Both deer mice and voles were strongly attracted to an area seeded with grass mixture in the early spring, even though overwinter mortality had dramatically reduced the average density to ≤2 animals/ha. Five rodents as well as several seed-eating birds appeared on this seeded area while no animals were recorded on a nearby control. Subsequent seeding experiments in the summer also produced significant increases (2 to 2.2 times) in rodent populations. Success of range seeding in B.C. can be quite variable, possibly due to seed predation by mice and voles. Consequently, both the quality and quantity of seed remaining for germination and forage production may be radically altered.