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Rodent Burrow Systems In North America: Problems Posed And Potential Solutions, Gary W. Witmer, Rachael S. Moulton, Jenna L. Swartz
Rodent Burrow Systems In North America: Problems Posed And Potential Solutions, Gary W. Witmer, Rachael S. Moulton, Jenna L. Swartz
USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications
Many rodent species are effective burrowers. In North America, these include species of ground squirrels, prairie dogs, marmots, and pocket gophers. The burrow systems of other species of rodents such as voles and mice are less elaborate and pose less potential for direct damage. Burrowing abilities, coupled with other characteristics (e.g., prolific, adaptable, ever-growing incisors for gnawing), can result in many types and amounts of impacts to human resources and ecosystems. Damage occurs to levees, roadbeds, buried pipes and cables, intrusion to sensitive areas (such as military sites, capped hazardous waste burial sites), vegetation effects, effects on water infiltration/runoff, and …