Wildlife Specialist report

Southern red-backed vole (Forest Service Sensitive Species Representative of
Spruce Fir Vegetation Cover Type) – The Southern red-backed vole is a good indicator
of cool, mesic sites within high-elevation spruce-fir forests. Standing water has not been
present in the vicinity of any localities where specimens have been collected for this
species in Catron and Socorro counties (BISON-M). They are often common in mature
lodgepole pine stands or in mixed spruce-fir forests with good cone production and an
abundance of surface litter including stumps, logs, and exposed roots of fallen trees. In
such habitats chickarees are often abundant and red-backed voles frequently use the
middens of the squirrels for cover and as a food source. Red- backed voles also use
aspen woodlands, grassy meadows, willow riparian areas, talus, and krummholz (BISON-
M).
This species has been selected as a focal species for small mammals that occur in spruce
fir habitats. For the analysis of this species the analysis indicators (road miles and acres
of potential disturbance) will analyze the change in these habitats by alternative from the
existing condition.
Long-tailed vole (Forest Service Sensitive Species, and Gila Management Indicator
Species Representative of Wet Meadow, Wetland, and High Elevation Riparian
Vegetation Cover Types) - Long-tailed voles are commonly found in mixed conifer
and spruce-fir forests associated with meadows (Natureserve). They are good indicators
of permanent water in montane forests and are most abundant where there is grassy
vegetation present on the forest floor. They can also be found in riparian areas associated
with cottonwood/willow habitat at higher elevations and rockslides. They are common in
areas of natural disturbance such as wildfire and/or areas that have been recently cut
(BISON-M).
Arizona montane vole (Forest Service Sensitive Species Representative of Wet
Meadow, Wetland, and High Elevation Riparian Vegetation Cover Types) –
Throughout its range in Arizona this vole inhabits dense damp to wet grassy areas at high
alpine like elevations. It is found primarily in the mountains and can extend above
timberline (AZGFD). In New Mexico their occurrence is found in wet sedge, grass
meadows bordering marshes and open water and in mesic meadows with dense tall grass
surrounded by Ponderosa Pine and Mixed conifer (BISON-M).
Long-tailed vole and Arizona montane vole have been selected as focal species for small
mammals that occur in wetlands, wet meadows, and high elevation perennial riparian
habitats. For the analysis of this species the analysis indicators (road miles and acres of
potential disturbance) will analyze the change in these habitats by alternative from the
existing condition.
Beaver (Gila Management Indicator Species Representative of Low, Middle and
High Elevation Riparian Vegetation Cover Types)– Beaver occur in association with
aquatic habitats including large rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. In small stream
situations, beaver will build dams to form a pond in which the lodge is constructed. In
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