Effect of Christmas tree farming on the composition of the small mammal community

Background/Question/Methods
Growers groups and state agricultural agencies state that Christmas tree farms are beneficial to wildlife because Christmas trees stands can provide food and cover during the 7-10 year tree growing period. To test this assumption, I used tracking tubes to identify small mammals using Christmas tree farms and adjacent old field and wooded habitats. Tracking tubes were lined with clear contact paper, sticky side up, and ink pads were secured at each end. Ink was transferred to the feet of animals entering the tubes and then to the contact paper. Tracking tubes were baited and checked weekly. I compared the diversity of small mammals in Christmas tree farms, old field, and wooded habitats.

Results/Conclusions
Of the 771 sets of tracks identified in the Christmas tree farm plots, 768 were tracks of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). The small mammal communities in adjacent old field and wooded habitats were much more diverse and included meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda), eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), groundhogs (Marmota monax), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) in addition to white-footed mice. The minimal diversity of small mammals using Christmas tree farms compared to other habitats may be due lower food availability, differences in the vegetation structure, and soil changes due to farming.