Conservation and restoration of wetland areas is a pressing concern with the spread of urban zones, and reclamation of abandoned wetlands is becoming more important as natural areas disappear. Progress in these restoration efforts, however, hinges on knowledge of the working
components and interactions that these ecosystems exhibit and on the development of complete ecosystem monitoring methods. Determining to what extent restoration efforts are successful is crucial to building a sound and sustainable framework. Using analysis of small mammal populations and feeding ecology in post-agricultural cranberry bogs, this study aims to; (1) develop indicators for wetlands as a measure of restoration progress using areas of differing hydrology with and without restoration modifications and (2) increase working knowledge of understudied ecosystem components essential to whole-system conservation.
Results/Conclusions
From previous research done near the study site, natural wetland communities in the area should support high species diversity of small mammals and dry grassland areas should be dominated by white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). The current research in post-agricultural cranberry bogs shows meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) as the strongly dominant species (>100 individuals/hectare) in both wet and dry conditions. This is a very interesting development, as preliminary hydrological assessments would suggest opportunities for further community complexity. Continuing research will evaluate seasonal shifts in community structure, elucidate restoration modificiation efficacy, and trends in feeding ecology.
