Platte River Prairies Camera Trap Data 2025

Rangeland makes up approximately 46% of Nebraska’s land area, most of which is managed by private landowners. These lands not only provide valuable forage for livestock and sustain the lives of thousands of people across the country but are also critical habitat for countless plant and animal species. Consequently, those who manage rangeland must do so in a holistic way, making simple amendments to traditional methods and incorporating an elevated awareness of species interactions and ecosystem connectivity. Heterogeneous landscapes feature a variety of vegetation structures that can be implemented by rangeland managers through a variety of techniques, including patch-mow grazing and prescribed fire. Variability not only benefits small mammals by providing different patches that they can rely on for specific needs but simultaneously enhances biological diversity and boosts livestock production. We examined the effect that different methods of generating heterogeneity within a pasture have on the number of unique functional groups of small mammals that can be found within that area. It is essential that rangeland managers practice sustainability and maximize biodiversity so that every species benefits, including the livestock and game species that stakeholders often deem paramount.