Effects of fire and mowing on expansion of reestablished black-tailed prairie dog colonies in Chihuahuan Desert grassland

Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) once ranged from Canada to Mexico throughout the Great Plains and west to Arizona. During the last 100 years, public and private control programs, plague, and habitat loss have reduced the distribution of black-tailed prairie dog populations by 98 percent, causing localized extinctions. This species is now considered uncommon or extirpated in many areas of its former range. Black-tailed prairie dogs significantly alter grassland ecosystems and are considered a "keystone" species that require active conservation efforts (Kotliar and others 1999). Conservation measures for this species, including reintroduction, are underway in a number of areas.