Deer Mouse Monitoring

Three island deer mice climbing out of a burrow in the ground
Island deer mice on Santa Barbara Island

NPS

Why We Care

Each of the five Channel Islands is home to an endemic subspecies of deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). In some cases, deer mice are the only terrestrial mammal occurring on the island. Deer mice exist on the islands in very high densities and are found in all habitats, making them integral components of island ecosystems.

Several studies incorporating monitoring data have provided important information on the natural role of deer mice in island food webs. Research on San Miguel Island showed that as seed predators mice had limited impacts on giant coreopsis (Coreopsis gigantea) populations, especially when compared to the negative competitive effects of non-native annual grasses. Monitoring data also show that deer mouse densities on San Miguel Island are strongly limited by the endangered island fox (Urocyon littoralis littoralis), whereas on Santa Barbara Island, where there are no foxes, mouse densities are much more variable.

As part of the terrestrial vertebrate monitoring program at Channel Islands National Park, information collected on deer mice will inform park managers not only about the health and status of those populations, but will also increase our understanding of how island ecosystems respond to changing environmental conditions.

How We Monitor

Deer mice populations at Channel Islands National Park have been monitored since 1992.

  • Nine permanent grids have been established in various habitats on three islands: Anacapa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara.
  • Grids are sampled twice each year during the spring and fall seasons.
  • Mark/recapture methods are used to determine population densities.
Deer mouse with an ear tag climbing on coreopsis
Deer mouse and coreopsis on Santa Barbara Island.

Catherin Schwemm


Our Goals

  • Determine the status and trends in deer mice density on Anacapa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara Islands.
  • Evaluate the general health of the population utilizing weight, age, sex, and reproductive information.

Why It Matters for Park Managers

  • Results from monitoring suggest that island deer mice exhibit population dynamics that differ markedly from mainland populations of the same species.
  • Island deer mouse population densities are higher than anywhere else in the world.
  • Population dynamics of deer mice on the different islands vary in response to numerous factors, including predator diversity, vegetation community structure, and climate.
  • Rainfall is a strong driver of deer mouse population dynamics; high winter rainfall encourages plant growth which provides food resources, while drought reduces plant growth and limits mouse productivity. However, abundant winter rain combined with cold temperatures may actually increase winter mortality and reduce the number of mice that survive from fall to spring.

For More Information

Download 1-2 page PDFs about the Mediterannean Coast Network's monitoring programs.

Source: Data Store Saved Search 3538. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

The Mediterranean Coast Network documents its findings in reports published in the NPS Natural Resource Publication Series.

Source: Data Store Saved Search 1506. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

Protocols describe in detail the procedures used to collect, manage, analyze and report monitoring data. They follow strict guidelines for content and format, and are reviewed and revised by subject-matter experts in each field.

Source: Data Store Saved Search 1518. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

Contact

Laura Shaskey

Last updated: December 6, 2018

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