Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

Bemidji – Grand Rapids
Biological Assessment and Evaluation
coniferous landscapes. In recent years, this population has been expanding in number and in range to
the south and east (DNR, 2009c).
Within the Study Area, specific observations of pine martens are unavailable, although appropriate
habitat is likely present.
Risk Factors
Risk factors include overharvest, loss of forested habitat or fragmentation of forested habitat. The
Minnesota population is currently of sufficient size and viability that a limited trapping season is held
(DNR, 2009c). If this trapping season is not properly managed it could negatively affect pine marten
populations. Additionally, pine martens tend to avoid large openings, especially during the winter
months. They can be especially sensitive to conversion of forest to create or expand open habitats
(Snyder, 1991).
4.2.2.3 Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster)
The prairie vole is listed as DNR Special Concern and as DRM Sensitive.
Species Description
The following species description is included in the DNR Rare Species Guide (2009):
The prairie vole is a medium‐sized vole with a stocky, compact body (Jones and Birney
1988). It weighs 16.8‐49.1 g (0.6‐1.7 oz.) and has a total body length of 119‐166 mm
(4.7‐6.5 in.) (Hazard 1982). The pelage is generally grayish‐brown with black and
brownish‐yellow tipped longer hairs, which gives them a grizzled appearance (Mumford
and Whitaker 1982; Jones and Birney 1988; Stalling 1999), although several color
variations have been found (Stalling 1990, 1999). The sides of the body are somewhat
paler than the back, the tail is distinctly bicolored (Stalling 1990, 1999), and the belly fur
usually has a yellow cast. The prairie vole greatly resembles the meadow vole (Microtus
pennsylvanicus), but meadow voles lack a grizzled appearance, and rarely have a yellow
cast to the belly. Identification by skull characteristics is preferred.
Species Habitat
The following habitat description is included in the DNR Rare Species Guide (2009):
Prairie voles, as the name implies, are a species which occur in grassy areas, particularly
ones which have well‐drained (dry) soil. In the Upper Midwest, prairie voles are mainly
restricted to relatively undisturbed, dry grasslands (Hazard 1982), however, they have
been found in other habitats (Oehlenschlager 1994). Suitable ground litter for runways
seems to be an important habitat feature (Stalling 1999), although it may not be
required (Oehlenschlager 1994).
Species Distribution and Occurrences within the Study Area
The prairie vole is distributed across the Upper Great Plains ranging between central Alberta,
Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba, south through eastern Montana and the Dakotas to Oklahoma
and east into the Ohio River Valley states of Indiana, Illinois Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio. The
northern edge of its range extends into southern Michigan, southern Wisconsin and the southwest half
of Minnesota (NatureServ 2009). In Minnesota, this species is known to have a patchy distribution but is
generally found southwest of the deciduous/coniferous ecotone, although records are lacking from the
south central portions of the state (DNR 2009).
July 2010 Species and Associated Habitat Page 4‐31