Ground Squirrels

These burrowing squirrels play a key roll in plant dynamics and soil health.    They till up small areas (10-20 feet in diameter) and reset the successional level like a fire in the forrest. This helps taller grasses like Western Wheat, Green Needle, and Galleta compete with the dominant short grasses like Buffalo and Blue Grama.  The taller grass species capture rainfall, slow down soil evaporation, and keep live roots in the deeper soil horizons.