Rabbit survey data on creosotebush and grassland routes from the long-term Small Mammal Exclusion Study at Jornada Basin LTER, 1996-ongoing

This data package contains rabbit survey data from grassland and
creosote shrubland habitats on Jornada Experimental Range (JER) and
Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center (CDRRC) lands. Two
survey routes were established along Jornada Basin roads in 1996;
one in black grama grassland and the other in creosotebush
shrubland. Quarterly surveys are conducted on these roads at or near
the full moon to measure the density of rabbits in the two
vegetation types. Each route is about 6 miles long. Parallel studies
were established at the Sevilleta LTER site (New Mexico, USA) and
Mapimi Biosphere Reserve (Durango, Mexico). Data collection began in
April 1996 and includes date and time lagomorphs are spotted,
species identification, habitat type, distance/direction from
vehicle, and comments on the weather, moon, and anything unusual.
This study is ongoing with new data collected quarterly.