Department of Environmental and Occupational Health


   


 


An investigation of small mammal diversity in the Las Vegas Wash

Sponsor: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

The Las Vegas Wash (LV Wash) is unique in that it provides habitat for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial species in an arid region of the southwestern United States, and is located just minutes away from the Greater Las Vegas Metropolitan Area which is home to more than 1 million people. The LV Wash also acts as a conduit for the transport of surface waters to Lake Mead and receives inputs from urban runoff, treated effluent and storm water. As the population of the Las Vegas Valley rapidly increases and non-native species of plants and animals are introduced, the quality of the habitat for certain mammalian species has the potential to be significantly diminished. In an attempt to minimize these impacts on the LV Wash ecosystem, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, in conjunction with the Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee, has spearheaded efforts to reduce non-native vegetation such as the tall whitetop (Lepidium latifolium), salt cedar (Tamarisk sp.) and fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum cupreum). Several areas have been targeted as revegetation sites, where invasive plant species have been removed and replaced by native plant species.

Desert Wood Rat Small mammals (rats, mice, moles and shrews) have documented preferences for specific habitat types and potentially may be displaced to marginal habitats because of the aforementioned human-enhanced changes to their environment. Unfortunately, little data exist regarding the small mammal species present in the LV Wash, the diversity of these species or population sizes. Since revegetation efforts in the LV Wash are currently underway, three categories of habitat types including tamarisk dominated, quail bush/mesquite dominated, and creosote bush dominated can be readily identified. These three areas can then be targeted for small mammal trapping and used to determine habitat preferences and species diversity. Drs Shawn Gerstenberger & Chad Cross

Purpose and Objectives

The specific objectives of this project include the following:

  1. To establish a baseline data set regarding the presence and diversity of small mammals inhabiting the LV Wash.
  2. Investigate habitat use by small mammals in three distinct habitat types (tamarisk dominated, quail bush/mesquite dominated, and creosote bush dominated).
    • Estimate population sizes of small mammals using standard mark-recapture techniques and models.

We recently completed twelve months of extensive trapping that included 300 traps per night and five nights per month, for a total of 18,000 trap nights. Numerous graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, staff and local agency representatives participated in this project. A few pictures of the habitat, animals and people are provided. Group Last Day

Faculty:
Shawn Gerstenberger
Chad Cross
Darren Divine

Graduate Student:
Jessica Larkin

Undergraduate Students:
Lindy Horn
Jaclyn Petrello
Crystal Shanley
Steve Oliveira
Jason Barangan
Philip Childers
Shelly Molony
Sherri Powell
Brandon Bair
 


Department of Environmental and Occupational Health : Office BHS 510
Phone: (702) 895-5420 : Fax: (702) 895-5573
School of Public Health : University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Copyright 2005 School of Public Health, UNLV