Small Mammal Recolonization of Reclaimed Coal Surface-Mined Land in Wyoming

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Abstract
Small mammal populations were compared on unmined rangeland and reclaimed coal surface-mined land reseeded 2 yr and 3-5 yr previously. Eight species of small mammals were present on the 3-5 yr old reclaimed areas compared with 6 on 2 yr old areas and 5 on unmined rangeland. The masked shrew (Sorex cinereus) and northern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys leucogaster) were captured almost exclusively on 3-5 yr old reclaimed land and unmined rangeland. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) dominated the community on all reclaimed areas in terms of density (13.8 .+-. 1.2/ha) and biomass (240.1 .+-. 109.1 g/ha). They composed 93.6 .+-. 1.9% of all small mammals captured on 2 yr old areas and 83.2 .+-. 1.1% of those captured on 3-5 yr old areas. Variation in their density paralleled variations in proportions of juveniles on the recolonized areas. Deer mice also were most abundant on unmined rangeland in terms of density, but 13-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) dominated in terms of biomass. Density of recolonizing deer mice stabilized within 2 yr after reclamation. After 2 yr, total small mammal density remained relatively constant, and diversity of the community increased.