Density and Diversity in Mojave Desert Rodent and Shrub Communities

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Abstract
Density in Mojave Desert rodent and perennial shrub communities [California, USA] is governed by amounts of available moisture. Whereas perennial shrub densities appear to respond directly to amounts of rainfall, rodent density responds to shrub density and thus, only indirectly to amounts of rainfall. Species of xeric-adapted rodents of the New World family Heteromyidae replace those of the more mesic-adapted Cricetidae as the drier end of an 80 km moisture gradient is approached. Both rodent and plant richness diversity respond favorably to increased soil depth (soil strength at 30 cm). Additionally, rodent richness diversity is seen to respond indirectly to a measure of mean annual temperature. Rodent H'' diversity, contrary to previous North American desert rodent community analyses, is highly correlated with increased plant diversity. Neither rainfall nor habitat heterogeneity appear to be direct integral factors. Rodent diversity (H'') appears to be a reflection of the equitability of the species, while shrub diversity (H'') is principally determined by species richness. The phenomenon of ecotonal edge effect is evidenced in the transitional community between relatively mesic and xeric desert habitats. A comparison of this analysis with previous desert rodent analyses emphasizes the variation within what is broadly termed desert habitat. Thus, generalities as to the responses of desert biota to varying environmental parameters appear tenuous.

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