SMALL MAMMAL RESPONSE TO PINE-GRASSLAND RESTORATION FOR RED-COCKADED WOODPECKERS

The U.S. Forest Service plans to restore >40,000 ha of the fire-depend ent shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata)-grassland community on the Ouachit a National Forest and potentially and >780,000 ha of the pine-grasslan d community throughout the Southeast to benefit the endangered red-coc kaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). Concern has arisen over impacts of large-scale conversion of closed-canopy forests to open pine-grassl and woodlands. We evaluated how an ecosystem approach to habitat impro vement for the red-cockaded woodpecker affected small mammals. During 2 winters wee compared small mammal occurrence and abundance in untrea ted pine-hardwood stands to stands following wildlife stand improvemen t (WSI; midstory removal), and With WSI-treated stands in the first, s econd, and third dormant seasons following prescribed fire. Total abun dance of small mammals was highest in WSI stands and was a more direct response to WSI (change in stand structure) than to fire. Increased s pecies richness and diversity in the second year of this study was str ongly related to both WSI and fire. No species was adversely affected by WSI or by fire. Rather, WSI and fire-reduced midstory, increased de ad debris in the understory, promoted herbaceous production, and incre ased woody sprouting. Total community abundance, richness, and diversi ty were lowest in untreated stands. White-footed mice (Peromyscus spp. ; primarily white-footed mouse [P. leucopus]) were the dominant specie s, accounting for 68% of the 611 individuals collected. Restoration ef forts may be particularly beneficial to generalist species such as P, leucopus as well as to more specialized species, such as golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli) and fulvous harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys fulve scens) that historically may have depended upon pine-grassland habitat s. Restoration of pine-grassland communities may enhance small mammal communities by reestablishing a landscape element that was present dur ing presettlement times.