SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF ANNUAL FLOODING ON A POPULATION OF PEROMYSCUS-LEUCOPUS IN A RIO-GRANDE RIPARIAN FOREST OF CENTRAL NEW-MEXICO

We studied the short-term effects of experimental flooding on a popula tion of Peromyscus leucopus in a Rio Grande riparian forest that had n ot flooded for over 50 y. We monitored populations at two sites for 2 yr before flooding and then for 3 yr during which we flooded one sice between mid-May and mid-June each year. Considerable interannual varia tion in density was detected at both sites, with no clear effect of fl ooding on density. Some mice stayed within the forest during flooding and used trees as refugia. Survivorship decreased slightly at the floo d site after the first flood but did not differ from the reference sit e 2 mo after flooding that year, nor in the final year. There was no d ifference between sites in recruitment of new individuals.