Understanding habitat quality for Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei): how survival responds to vegetation structure and composition

Abstract Habitat loss is the primary conservation concern for many rare species; yet, it is unclear what habitat components are vital for the persistence of many rare species. The Prebleu0027s meadow jumping mouse Zapus hudsonius preblei (PMJM) was listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act because of habitat loss in Colorado and Wyoming. The PMJM is restricted to dense shrub cover and dense herbaceous vegetation along wetland and riverine systems. Although it is well established by researchers that PMJM infrequently leave these habitat types, it is unclear what riparian vegetation structure and composition is important to PMJM survival. We collected and analyzed a 14-y PMJM vegetation-monitoring data set and a PMJM mark–recapture data set to assess the influence of vegetation structure and composition on PMJM annual survival. Using individual, group, and site-specific covariates we estimated survival and evaluated the influence of such covariates on annual survival. Annual survival for PMJM was lo...