Susan C. Loeb

Because estimates of small mammal species richness and diversity are strongly influenced by sampling methodology, 2 or more trap types are often used in studies of small mammal communities. However, in most cases, all traps are placed at ground level. In contrast, we used Sherman live traps placed at 1.5 m in trees in addition to Sherman live traps and Mosby box traps placed on the ground to sample small mammals in pine stands in the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. To determine the importance of placing traps in trees, we compared estimates of small mammal (primarily rodent) species...

Habitat fragmentation is one of the greatest threats to the conservation of biodiversity and has 3 components: habitat loss, patch isolation, and patch size. We tested the effects of forest-clearing size on small mammal populations in the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. These clearings act as islands for many species of small mammals, particularly old-field mice (Peromyscus polionotus) and cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus). We live-trapped small mammals in 3 size classes of clearcuts (small <6 ha, medium 10-15 ha, and large >25 ha) on the Savannah River Site and compared...

I tested the effectiveness of squirrel excluder devices (SQEDs) in deterring southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) from using artificial red-cockaded woodpecker {Picoides borealis) cavities by placing them on approximately one-half of the cavities in 14 inactive recruitment clusters on the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. SQEDs consisted of 2 pieces of 35.5-cm wide aluminum flashing placed 7.6 cm above and below the cavity entrance. Cavities with (/V = 37) and without (7V = 35) SQEDs were checked once per month from February 1995 to January 1996; all flying squirrels found in...