Ecology and Conservation of prairie dogs’ ecosystem in Janos, Chihuahua

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In addition to the largest colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) on the continent and a great diversity of fauna, the Janos region maintains extensive areas of native grasslands. The work that we developed in this region began more than 20 years ago when we focused on assessing biological diversity, mainly of vertebrate groups. Throughout this time, we have developed numerous research projects in which we have recorded the rapid degradation of the grasslands.

Currently we focus on the conservation of the ecosystem through particular projects of students and four general projects:

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Program of Restoration and Conservation of Arid Grasslands in Northwest Mexico

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From 1990 to 2000 more than 40,000 hectares of grassland were transformed into arid shrubland and more than 45,000 hectares of pasture cover were lost. In addition, intensive agriculture increased from 731 hectares in 1993 to 12,845 hectares in 2008 and 70% of the hectares occupied by prairie dog colonies were lost.

These changes motivated us to link scientific research with the environmental problems of the region and as a result of our commitment, in 2009 we achieved the declaration of the Janos Biosphere Reserve, the first federal reserve to protect native grasslands in Mexico.

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    The scientific information we are producing will allow us to establish the basis for promoting grassland restoration and socio-economic well-being in the region by developing sound strategies to: 1) restore the prairie dog’ ecosystem, 2) implement a better livestock management, and 3) restore grasslands using intensive agriculture to transform shrubland into native grasslands.

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    Together with the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas we are coordinating the elaboration and implementation of the management plan with conservation and restoration actions using interinstitutional and interdisciplinary approaches.

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Interaction of Prairie Dogs and Domestic Cattle in Janos Grasslands (JPACS)

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Throughout the world large and small herbivores modify the plant composition and soil structure having a very important role in the maintenance of grasslands.

However, domestic livestock has now replaced native herbivores and thousands of their populations have been decimated primarily by apparent competition. Although livestock farming has been considered one of the main causes of grassland degradation, very little is known about its interactive effects on native flora and fauna and possible effects on ecosystems.

Since 2006 we have established a long-term experiment in the grasslands of Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico which simultaneously manipulates prairie dogs and domestic livestock in four key treatments (+Prairie Dogs -Livestock; +Prairie Dogs +Livestock; -Prairie Dogs +Livestock; -Prairie Dogs -Livestock). The objective of this work is to help understand the relationships and interactive functions of these key herbivores and understand the possible impact of livestock and wildlife management in the restoration and conservation of grasslands in northwest Mexico.

This work is carried out in collaboration with the University of New Mexico (UNM) and the United States Department of Agriculture in New Mexico (USDA-ARS).

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Habitat use and conservation of the North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) in the southern limit of its geographical distribution.

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The North American porcupine is considered an endangered species in Mexico since its distribution is limited to a few localities in the north of the country. The only population studied in Mexico lives in northwestern Chihuahua, within the Janos Biosphere Reserve. Although it has been declared a natural protected area the region continues to suffer severe degradation which threatens the permanence of fragile communities such as riparian areas and a large number of species that depend on them.

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     Between 2006 and 2009 we determined the abundance, the home range and evaluated the use and selection of porcupine habitat through the use of telemetry. Field data revealed an abundance of 0.38 individuals per km2 and an average home range size of 329 hectares. These values represent the lowest abundance and the largest home range reported for the species in North America. Porcupines use mainly riparian forests and mesquite shrubs but show a strong selection towards riparian vegetation where the fragmentation of the few riparian forests in the reserve seriously threatens the viability of porcupine populations.

   

    The loss of northern porcupine populations in the region may lead to shrinkage of geographic distribution and lead to local extinction of the species. This study provides useful information on the identification of critical sites for the conservation of porcupines and many other species that depend on riparian areas.

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Reintroduction and translocation of native species

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The black-footed ferret, one the rarest mammals in the world, reintroduction program began in 2001. This weasel depends almost exclusively on prairie dogs as prey and its distribution has been alarmingly reduced until the edge of extinction. To date more than 300 ferrets have been released in Janos and since 2002 the first offsprings born in the wild Mexico have been located.

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    In 2011 we began the prairie dogs’ translocation program to repopulate areas of grassland where they have been extirpated. We have translocated more than 150 individuals being this the first reported attempt to reestablish colonies of prairie dogs in Mexico. We are currently developing the basic methodology for the restoration of colonies of prairie dogs at the large-scale.