MPG Exclosure Study Field Notes: Down the “mouse” hole to uncover the mystery of the missing seeds

We are studying how natural processes such as rodent seed predation influence restoration success of
grassland species, and to what extent these effects depend on plant traits. Rodents, particularly deer
mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), are major consumers of seeds, and therefore can have large effects on
plant recruitment, the first stage of restoration. But all seed types are not equally consumed by deer
mice. One plant trait strongly linked to seed predation is seed size. Deer mice prefer relatively large
seeds in Montana grasslands. Seeds of species such as arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagitatta),
sticky geranium (Geranium viscossissimum), and western gromwell (Lithospermum ruderale) are a few of
the favored native seeds that fit into this category in western Montana grasslands. When seed eating
rodent populations are high, their influence can be so strong that restoration projects using larger
seeded species are unlikely to see much recruitment of those plants. Our experiment set out to measure
the influence of seed predation on restoration success and community development while also
accounting for potential effects of other factors such as large herbivores (elk, deer, wild horses) and
precipitation.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL PDF: MPG exclosure study - missing western gromwell seeds-2.pdf