SOUTHERN BOG LEMMING

Introduction

The Southern bog lemming (Synaptomys cooperi) in an overall uncommon species in BCR 14 but can be common where it occurs. It prefers an herbaceous ground cover in a variety of forest types at lower elevations. It is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in one or more states in BCR 14.

Habitat Needs

This animal primarily uses deciduous or mixed forest situations or sphagnum or black spruce bogs. It needs moist soils with a deep thick leaf mold or loose duff with enough seedling or shrub density to provide some cover.

Its home range seems to be as much as 1 acre but usually is less.

Habitat Management Practices

Maintain the thick leaf mold or duff conditions it needs. This implies maintaining deciduous or mixed forest types in a relatively mature state.

When assessing properties for habitat potential, look for moist soils that will grow deciduous or mixed forest types. Some of the soils to look for include Belgrade, Berkshire or Agawam among many others.

Silvicultural Practices

Several forest types are used by this species—northern hardwoods, aspen, red maple, and hemlock. Use a form of silviculture (either shelterwood or uneven-aged) that maintains enough of a canopy to provide the thick leaf mold or duff layer with the exception of the aspen type. For aspen use even-aged management and minimize the opening sizes to 3 to 5 acres. Sphagnum or black spruce bogs are best left unmanaged.

NORTHERN HARDWOOD

  • Use even-aged management—a two-cut shelterwood system is acceptable. Cuts can range from 5 to 50 acres.
  • Use 120-year rotation age with entries every 15 to 20 years.
  • Let 10 percent of the area in this type age to 175 years before rotating
  • Favor yellow birch to grow where possible.
  • In larger cut blocks (greater than 10 acres), leave patches of uncut trees, about  acre for every 10 acres clear cut.
  • Avoid entry during nesting season—April to June.
  • Whole-tree harvest or cut-to-length is preferred.

RED MAPLE

  • Use even-aged management. Cuts can range from 5 to 30 acres.
  • Use a 100-year rotation age with entries every 10 to 15 years.
  • Let 10 percent of the area in this type age to 150 years before rotating.
  • In larger cut blocks (greater than 10 acres), leave patches of uncut trees, about  acre for every 10 acres clear cut.
  • Avoid entry during nesting season—April to June.
  • Whole-tree harvest is preferred.

HEMLOCK

  • Use uneven-aged management. Single tree or group selection—groups less than acre.
  • Use a 200-year rotation age with entries every 20 years.
  • Let 10 percent of the area in this type go to 250-plus years before rotating.
  • Avoid entry during nesting season—April to June.
  • Whole-tree harvest or cut-to-length is preferred.

ASPEN

These recommendations are designed to optimize wildlife habitat conditions within this forest type. Other silvicultural options may apply, but they won’t necessarily optimize potential habitat conditions for the full range of wildlife species that can occupy this type.

  • Use even-aged management. Cuts can range from 5 to 30 acres.
  • Use a 60-year rotation age with entries every 7 to 10 years.
  • Let 10 percent of the area in this type age to 90 years before rotating.
  • Avoid entry during nesting season—April to June.
  • Whole-tree harvest is preferred.

Additional Information

Categories
Forest Types