Small Mammal Exclosure Study (SMES) Surface Soil Disturbance in the Chihuahuan Desert Grassland and Shrubland at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (1995-2005)

The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not the
activities of small mammals regulate plant community structure,
plant species diversity, and spatial vegetation patterns in
Chihuahuan Desert shrublands and grasslands. What role if any do
indigenous small mammal consumers have in maintaining desertified
landscapes in the Chihuahuan Desert? Additionally, how do the
effects of small mammals interact with changing climate to affect
vegetation patterns over time? This is data for animal created soil
surface disturbance measured from each of the SMES study plots. Soil
surface disturbance was measured from each of the 36 one-meter2
quadrats twice each year when vegetation was measured.