Realm: Terrestrial
Climate: Temperate
Biome: Mediterranean forests, woodlands and scrubs
Central latitude: -30.600000
Central longitude: -71.700000
Duration: 17 years, from 1989 to 2005

72770 records

10 distinct species

Across the time series Abrothrix olivaceus is the most frequently occurring species

Methods

Note BioTIME managers: in this small-mammal dataset, only control (+D +P) and degu exclusion treatments (-D +P) are retained. Therefore, changes in the whole small-mammal assemblage (+D +P) & the whole assemblage except for the degus (Octodon degus) (-D +P) can be quantified over time. Extracted from : https://figshare.com/collections/Long-term_monitoring_of_mammals_in_the_face_of_biotic_and_abiotic_influences_at_a_semiarid_site_in_north-central_Chile/3305493 (Metadata (general) & Small-Mammal Metadata Files) Experimental/Sampling design: Quebrada de las Vacas is a north-south oriented valley located in Bosque Fray Jorge National Park and just inland from low coastal hills (Altos de Talinay). In 1989 we established 16 0.56 ha plots (75 × 75 m) in the Quebrada del las Vacas. These comprise the Central Grid Complex. Plots were randomly assigned to one of four treatments (4 replicates each; see Table 1) including: (1) controls, with low (1.0 m h) 2.5 cm mesh fencing buried ca. 40 cm with 5 cm d holes at ground level to provide access by all small mammals and predators (+D +P); (2) predator exclusions, with tall (1.8 m h) 5 cm mesh fencing buried 40 cm, 1 m overhangs, and polyethylene mesh (15 cm) netting overhead, excluding predators but allowing small-mammal access (including degus; +D -P); (3) degu exclusions, with low (1.0 m h) 2.5 cm mesh fencing without holes to exclude degus but not other small mammals or predators (-D +P); or 4) degu & predator exclusions, with tall (1.8 m h) 5 cm mesh fencing, with high overhangs, and netting to exclude predators, supplemented with 2.5 cm fencing to exclude degus (-D -P). Any degus captured in -D plots during monthly censuses are removed and released approximately 1 km from the experimental grid complex. In 1997 we added 4 open grids (no fencing) for a food supplementation study (Grids 17–20; Meserve et al. 2001; this terminated in late 2002. In 2001 in response to 12 years with no indication of substantial vegetative responses to the exclusion of degus, we converted -D -P plots to exclude all small mammals (-SM) by removing overhead netting and converting fences to lower (1.5 m) fences with finer mesh (hardware cloth, ca. 5 mm mesh) and metal flashing to prevent animals from climbing into grids. We also trimmed vegetation on the periphery to prevent animals from climbing over fences. As with degu exclusions, we remove any small mammals captured in –SM plots and release them approximately 1 km from the experimental grid complex. Abstract: The data set covers a 16-year period (1989–2005) of monthly surveys of small mammal. The small mammal fauna is trapped every month on all experimental plots and information on each captured small mammal is contained in this file. These data have been applied to diverse population- and community-level analyses and remain useful for investigations of population dynamics, species interactions, and the relative influence of biotic and abiotic influences. Sampling is ongoing and data will be added over time. Data Collection Period, Frequency: Small mammals are trapped for four days/month/grid (5 × 5 stations, 15-m interval, two traps/station). As noted in the Master Metadata File, degus (Octodon degus) are removed from degu exclusion plots (e.g., “-D-P” and “-D+P” treatments), and all small mammals are removed from small mammal exclusion plots (“-SM”). Field: We have a small house on site, and our field crew lives there for nine days every month (second–tenth day of the month). They trap eight grids for four nights followed by the other eight grids for four nights (from 1997–2002 the crew added two +F grids to each 4-d cycle). Two Sherman-type live traps (9 × 11 × 30 cm) are placed at each station (hence, 50 traps per grid) and checked 2–3 times daily (morning, late afternoon, midday under hot conditions). All individual small mammals are uniquely marked with numbered ear tags or leg bands (National Band and Tag Co., Newport, Kentucky, USA), and standard data are recorded (see Table 1). Because our site experiences fog or high clouds frequently, we do not target sampling to a particular lunar phase. Taxonomy and systematics: Taxonomy of small mammals is consistent with the third edition of Mammal Species of the World (Wilson and Reeder 2005) with the minor exception that Abrocoma bennetti is mis-spelled therein as Abrocoma bennettii (although the epithet is spelled correctly in the Index). Project personnel: The field crew includes four technicians; over the years we have supported 27 technicians, some in excess of 10 years on the project. Additionally, the crew frequently recruits volunteers to assist with monthly surveys.

Citation(s)

@Article{BioTIME_cit190, Study_id = {327}, Citation_id = {190}, Author = {Kelt, D A and Meserve, P L and Guti{\'{e}}rrez, J R and Milstead, W Bryan and Previtali, M A}, Journal = {Ecology}, Number = {4}, Pages = {977}, Title = {Long?term monitoring of mammals in the face of biotic and abiotic influences at a semiarid site in north?central Chile}, Volume = {94}, Year = {2013}, Issn = {1939-9170} }