Vitally important: The role of demography in assessing the current and future status of black-tailed prairie dogs

Abstract

Black-tailed prairie dogs have declined across their range by an estimated 98% in the last 100 years as the result of habitat loss, disease and human persecution. Commonly regarded as a keystone species, they represent a unique conservation dilemma because of their importance to other species, (e.g. the black-footed ferret- Mustela nigripes), while having the general reputation as an agricultural pest. Conservation of black-tailed prairie dogs largely involves documenting their status by estimating occupied habitat throughout their range, or attempting to expand prairie dogs into areas where they were historically present. Both of these aspects of prairie dog conservation lack information about vital rates that are important to assessing and managing the species.

Citation

Facka, Aaron Neil. 2006. Vitally important: The role of demography in assessing the current and future status of black-tailed prairie dogs. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University. Thesis. 84 p.