Sevilleta LTER | Small Mammal Monitoring and Physiology

Dr. Phil Manlick, Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the Biology Department at the University of New Mexico and his colleagues with the Sevilleta Long Term Ecological Research program have been studying small mammal foraging ecology in dryland ecosystems to understand how these animals will respond to future climates that are drier and more variable. Small mammals, such as kangaroo rats, are key consumers that affect the flow of energy through dryland ecosystems. Monthly data collection helps the team to understand how climate affects foraging decisions, diet, and body condition. This information is used to predict future winners and losers – and losses of biodiversity – under climate change.

This work is part of the Sevilleta LTER program funded by the National Science Foundation.