Project Details

The dark kangaroo mouse (DKM) is a rare inhabitant of the Great Basin Desert and populations appear to be declining throughout the range of the species. However, through limited early spring work we have expanded our understanding of distribution and habitat use. Through this project we hope to enhance our knowledge of the distribution, abundance, and threats facing the DKM -- information that would be vital in support of conservation actions and a species status assessment.

The dark kangaroo mouse (DKM) (Microdipodops megacephalus) is an inhabitant of sandy dune margins in the Great Basin desert.  The mouse's distribution is primarily restricted to Nevada and Utah with small areas of California, Idaho, and Oregon (Hafner and Upham 2011, Hall and Kelson 1959, O'Farrell and Blaustein 1974).  Within that distribution population are naturally patchy and fragmented. The DKM is generally considered rare and populations appear to be declining throughout the range of the species (Auger and Black 2006, Hafner et al. 2008, Hafner and Upham 2011). Recent genetic analysis has suggested the dark kangaroo mouse occurs in at least three discrete groups with little genetic interchange (Hafner and Upham 2011, Andersen et al. 2014). Researchers have suggested that effective population sizes in each group are low and may be threatened with extirpation (Andersen et al. 2014).

Work by BYU and the UDWR over the last decades failed to locate DKM at most historical locations in Utah. In 2005-2006, live-trapping surveys for the dark kangaroo mouse in the Utah portion of the Great Basin resulted in the capture of 40 individuals with a trapping effort of 11,160 trap nights (Auger and Black 2006). Kangaroo mice were only found at 4 out of 101 sites sampled. Thirty-six individuals were found at one site in Iron County and the remainder at 3 other locations across the Great Basin Desert. Capture success was similarly low in a 2014 - 2015 extensive cooperative effort between Dugway Proving Ground, UDWR, and BYU (Phillips 2018).

Research has shown that as cheatgrass increases, small mammal diversity decreases with the DKM among the first species disappearing (Ostoja and Schupp 2009, Haug 2010, Freeman et al. 2014).  Because of that, we have great concern for this species and the Great Basin small mammal community in general. However, lack of knowledge hampers our ability to take conservation action. Current needs are to identify as many extant populations as possible and prioritize protection of those areas against invasion by cheatgrass
and/or other identified threats. Given the apparently declining population and the identification 
of discrete populations, the DKM could become the target of an ESA listing petition. We also 
lack the information to design and implement conservation measures to protect the species where they occur.

In somewhat of a contrast to those dire findings, we have had more success in recent years.  In the larger university-led projects, trapping efforts occurred from May through August to conform to graduate student schedules. Yet some research suggests that although DKM can be captured throughout summer, early spring trapping may result in greater success. In spring, fewer seeds are available and animals may be more enticed to enter a trap.  With limited effort, 2 DKM were captured by UDWR in April in 2017 and 21 DKM in March through June 2019.  Those captures included new localities located between the known existing populations.  Hill Air Force Base biologist have also captured DKM in recent years and expanded the known northern extent of the species' distribution. Through that work, we now have a better understanding of the habitats DKM select and a species distribution 
model is being produced to help guide efforts. We propose to expand trapping during spring 2022 with hopes of enhancing our knowledge of the distribution, abundance, and threats facing the DKM -- information that would be vital in support of a species status assessment.

Provide evidence about the nature of the problem and the need to address it. Identify the significance of the problem using a variety of data sources. For example, if a habitat restoration project is being proposed to benefit greater sage-grouse, describe the existing plant community characteristics that limit habitat value for greater sage-grouse and identify the changes needed for habitat improvement.

Provide an overall goal for the project and then provide clear, specific and measurable objectives (outcomes) to be accomplished by the proposed actions. If possible, tie to one or more of the public benefits UWRI is providing.

LOCATION: Justify the proposed location of this project over other areas, include publicly scrutinized planning/recovery documents that list this area as a priority, remote sensing modeling that show this area is a good candidate for restoration, wildlife migration information and other data that help justify this project's location.

TIMING: Justify why this project should be implemented at this time. For example, Is the project area at risk of crossing an ecological or other threshold wherein future restoration would become more difficult, cost prohibitive, or even impossible.

List management plans where this project will address an objective or strategy in the plan. Describe how the project area overlaps the objective or strategy in the plan and the relevance of the project to the successful implementation of those plans. It is best to provide this information in a list format with the description immediately following the plan objective or strategy.

This project will provide small mammal occupancy data of populations supporting the need for data in Environmental Assessments and impact analyses. Additionally, BLM Manual 4680 directs the BLM to "determine, to the extent practicable, the distribution, abundance, population condition, current threats, and habitat needs" for sensitive species. The status of sensitive small mammal populations, including DKM and PYRA are currently unknown in the SLFO, additionally historic sites appear to be unoccupied. Data collected in this survey effort will provide data to inform analyses, planning, and implementation in project areas where pygmy rabbits exist. Furthermore, areas may be identified in this effort that would benefit from restoration work such as juniper removal. These data are needed in order to process permit renewals, and land and realty actions quickly. Locations of small mammal populations allows biologists to microsite projects and adjust prior to NEPA initiation, thereby reducing paperwork and time required to process requests.

If applicable, detail how the proposed project will significantly reduce the risk of fuel loading and/or continuity of hazardous fuels including the use of fire-wise species in re-seeding operations. Describe the value of any features being protected by reducing the risk of fire. Values may include; communities at risk, permanent infrastructure, municipal watersheds, campgrounds, critical wildlife habitat, etc. Include the size of the area where fuels are being reduced and the distance from the feature(s) at risk.

Describe how the project has the potential to improve water quality and/or increase water quantity, both over the short and long term. Address run-off, erosion, soil infiltration, and flooding, if applicable.

Description of efforts, both completed and planned, to bring the proposed action into compliance with any and all cultural resource, NEPA, ESA, etc. requirements. If compliance is not required enter "not applicable" and explain why not it is not required.

All known locations of DKM captures in Utah have been compiled and a predictive distribution model is being built based on that information. Prior to project implementation, biologist will identify potential habitat based on the model and conduct site visits. Capture efforts will beginning in March 2022. Sampling will consist of setting transects of Sherman live traps baited with a seed mixture. Traps will be checked each morning before temperatures reach 80 degrees to decrease the likelihood of mortality related to heat in the trap. Traps will be closed during the day to prevent non-target animals (primarily sciurids) from entering the trap during the heat of the day. If nighttime temperatures are expected to be colder than 5ÃÂÃÂÃÂ
ÃÂ C, each trap will be equipped with 5 g of polyfil batting (i.e., nesting material) to decrease the likelihood of exposure by captured animals. Where a capture occurs, adaptive cluster sampling will be used to help determine the extent of occupied habitat and initial measure of abundance. 
At sites where captures occur we will conduct field visits with the project relevant land-management agency personnel. Those visits will be used to familiarize all with the sites, identify threats to each population, and to solicit suggestions to reduce or mitigate those threats.

Describe the actions, activities, tasks to be implemented as part of the proposed project; how these activities will be carried out, equipment to be used, when, and by whom.

Describe plans to monitor for project success and achievement of stated objectives. Include details on type of monitoring (vegetation, wildlife, etc.), schedule, assignments and how the results of these monitoring efforts will be reported and/or uploaded to this project page. If needed, upload detailed plans in the "attachments" section.

List any and all partners (agencies, organizations, NGO's, private landowners) that support the proposal and/or have been contacted and included in the planning and design of the proposed project. Describe efforts to gather input and include these agencies, landowners, permitees, sportsman groups, researchers, etc. that may be interested/affected by the proposed project. Partners do not have to provide funding or in-kind services to a project to be listed.

Detail future methods or techniques (including administrative actions) that will be implemented to help in accomplishing the stated objectives and to insure the long term success/stability of the proposed project. This may include: post-treatment grazing rest and/or management plans/changes, wildlife herd/species management plan changes, ranch plans, conservation easements or other permanent protection plans, resource management plans, forest plans, etc.

Potential for the proposed action to improve quality or quantity of sustainable uses such as grazing, timber harvest, biomass utilization, recreation, etc. Grazing improvements may include actions to improve forage availability and/or distribution of livestock.