Comparison of bird and mammal communities on black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies and uncolonized shortgrass prairie in New Mexico

► I measured effects of prairie dog activities on birds, mammals, and vegetation. ► Prairie dogs greatly modifed shortgrass prairie habitat structure. ► Habitat changes benefitted six bird/mammal species, but hindered six others. ► At the landscape scale, prairie dog activities increased biodiversity.