Distribution of the endangered giant kangaroo rat, Dipodomys ingens, on the Naval Petroleum Reserves, Kern County, California
Field surveys were conducted to determine the distribution and relative abundance of burrow systems of the endangered giant kangaroo rat, Dipodomys ingens, on the US Department of Energy's Naval Petroleum Reserves (NPR-1, NPR-2) in Kern County, California. A total of 1080 burrow systems were observed on 30 sections of NPR-1, 22 sections of NPR-2, and six adjoining sections. Most burrow systems were found in clusters on deep sandy loams in Buena Vista Valley, but isolated burrows were found in similar soils on the upper slopes or crests of ridges in 30 other sections of the reserves. Burrow systems had an average of 3.3 horizontal entrances measuring 2.7 in. high and 3.4 in. wide, and an average of 1.4 vertical entrances 2.0 in. in diameter. In the valleys burrows occurred in a density of 28.2 per acre; had an average slope angle of 4.3/sup 0/; were within 3.3 yd of a perennial shrub, usually a cheese-bush, Hymenoclea salsola; had a predominantly southern aspect; and were grazed by sheep, but were remote from petroleum production activities. In the uplands burrows occurred in a density of 0.1 per acre; had an average slope angle of 6.4/sup 0/; were within 5.1 yd of a perennial shrub, usually a desert saltbush, Atriplex polycarpa; had no particular aspect; and were not grazed by sheep, but were close to petroleum production activities. Since 1980, preconstruction surveys have helped conserve giant kangaroo rat burrows that may have been inadvertently threatened by construction projects on the reserves.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Goleta, CA (USA). Santa Barbara Operations
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC08-83NV10282
- OSTI ID:
- 5945001
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-10282-2173; ON: DE88000986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Five-year resurvey for endangered species on Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1, (Elk Hills), Kern County, California
Five-year resurvey for endangered species on Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1, (Elk Hills), Kern County, California
Related Subjects
CALIFORNIA
NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVE
RATS
ABUNDANCE
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
ANIMALS
DATA
DISTRIBUTION
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
INFORMATION
MAMMALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESERVES
RESOURCES
RODENTS
USA
VERTEBRATES
510500* - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)