Long-term responses of ecosystem components to stand thinning in young lodgepole pine forest

Mean total abundance of small mammals was similar among stands with the highest overall numbers recorded in 2002. Mean species richness and diversity of small mammals were similar among stands. Mean abundance of C. gapperi was similar among stands and increased significantly with time. This pattern of abundance of C. gapperi will likely be consistent except perhaps in years of high numbers when productivity of this species may be highest in old-growth forest. Reproduction, recruitment, and early juvenile survival of C. gapperi was similar among stands; Jolly-Seber summer survival was higher in the thinned than unthinned stands with no difference in winter survival among stands. Our results supported hypotheses (i) and (ii) that abundance and diversity of forest floor small mammals and the demographic attributes of C. gapperi populations would be maintained in young managed lodgepole pine stands (thinned or unthinned) at levels recorded in old-growth forest.