A reevaluation of the role of prairie dogs in great plains grasslands

Recent articles in the scientific literature and popular press have argued for federal protection for prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) based on the ir role as a keystone species in North American grasslands. A critical eval uation of published studies, however reveals that our knowledge of the effe cts of prairie dogs on other animals may be more limited and equivocal than these articles suggest. Moreover, differences in responses to grazing and disturbance of the types of grasslands inhabited by prairie dogs suggest th at prairie dogs may affect the vegetation and fauna of these systems differ ently, yet we know little about their ecological role in many grasslands. F uture research may provide convincing evidence that prairie dogs have dispr oportionately large, unique effects on prairie ecosystems, but it may be pr emature to characterize prairie dogs as keystone species in grasslands thro ughout the Great Plains. Despite decades of interest in and study of the ef fects of this conspicuous and influential species, large gaps in our knowle dge of the ecology of prairie clogs persist and warrant additional research .