Small mammal populations at hazardous waste disposal sites near Houston, Texas, USA.
Small mammals were trapped, tagged and recaptured in 0.45 ha plots at six hazardous industrial waste disposal sites to determine if populations, body mass and age structures were different from paired control site plots. Low numbers of six species of small mammals were captured on industrial waste sites or control sites. Only populations of hispid cotton rats at industrial waste sites and control sites were large enough for comparisons. Overall population numbers, age structure, and body mass of adult male and female cotton rats were similar at industrial waste sites and control sites. Populations of small mammals (particularly hispid cotton rats) may not suffice as indicators of environments with hazardous industrial waste contamination.
Flickinger
E L
EL
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD 20708, USA.
Nichols
J D
JD