SMALL MAMMALS |
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CALIFORNIA, USA
Temperature and rainfall are important factors that shape rodent population cycles, especially in dry habitats where food and water are in limited supply. We studied population dynamics of the pinyon mouse in a semi-arid habitat in California, USA. Our results suggest that seasonal rainfall and variation in temperature at the local level, rather than regional climatic patterns (like El Niño effects), more strongly impacted survival and recruitment rates in this population. Examining such links between rodent population dynamics and environmental factors are critical for understanding impacts of global climate change. The study is published as a paper and can be accessed here.
