Thomas Sullivan

My studies are concerned with integrated management of wildlife resources within agricultural and forest environments. In particular, evaluation of biodiversity and sustainability in a landscape mosaic of agro-ecosystems and natural habitats is based on measurement of vegetation, small mammal communities, and habitat structure. A similar study is investigating these responses in intensively managed lodgepole pine ecosystems. The silvicultural practices of pre-commercial thinning and fertilization are a prominent part of my research program looking at growth of crop trees, vegetation, and overall habitat structure. Relative habitat use by wild ungulates and cattle and forage production are central to these studies. Management of rodent pests in agricultural and forest ecosystems is another major focus, with particular emphasis on natural control methods involving diversionary foods and predator semiochemicals. These research activities are conducted in the southern and central interior of B.C.

Research Projects

1. Long-term responses of ecosystem components to stand thinning in young lodgepole pine forest
2. Weasels, voles, and trees: Influence of mustelid semiochemicals on vole populations and feeding damage to tree seedlings
3. Influence of diversionary food on population dynamics of long-tailed voles (Microtus longicaudus) and feeding damage to tree seedlings
4. Influence of repeated fertilization on forest ecosystems in young lodgepole pine forest
5. Biodiversity in an agrarian landscape: Diversity of plants and mammals in natural and orchard habitats
6. Biodiversity in an agrarian landscape: Hedgerow habitats for montane voles and potential pest problems?
7. Stand structure and maintenance of biodiversity in green-tree retention stands at 30 years post-harvest: A vision into the futurediversity in green-tree retention stands at 30 years post-harvest: A vision into the future

APBI/FRST 444 Agroforestry

APBI 460 Managing Agroecosystems for Biodiversity

APBI 490 Topics in Agroecology and Conservation

FRST 399/546 Introduction to Research Methods

Refereed Publications

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, P.M.F. Lindgren, and D.B. Ransome. 2009. Stand structure and the abundance and diversity of plants and small mammals in natural and intensively managed forests. For. Ecol. Manage. (In press). (FSP)

Sullivan, T.P. and D.S. Sullivan. 2009. Dynamics of peripheral populations of the Great Basin pocket mouse (Perognathus parvus) and western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis) in the southern interior of British Columbia Can. Field-Naturalist. (In press). (AMRI)

Ransome, D.B., P.M.F. Lindgren, H. Armleder, M.J. Waterhouse, and T.P. Sullivan. 2009. Small mammal response to group selection silvicultural systems in Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir forests: 14 years post harvest. Can. J. For. Res. 39: 1698-1708. (FSP)

Sullivan, T.P., and D.S. Sullivan. 2009. Are linear habitats in agrarian landscapes source areas for beneficial or pest rodents? Agr. Eco. Environ. 129: 52-56. (AMRI)

Klenner, W. and T.P. Sullivan. 2009. Partial and clearcut harvesting of dry Douglas-fir forests: Implications for small mammal communities. For. Ecol. Manage. 257: 1078-1086. (FSP)

Clason, A.J., P.M.F. Lindgren, and T.P. Sullivan. 2008. Comparison of potential non-timber forest products in intensively managed young stands and natural/old-growth forests in south-central British Columbia. For. Ecol. Manage. 156: 1897-1909. (FSP)

Sullivan, T.P. and D.S. Sullivan. 2008. Vole-feeding damage and forest plantation protection: Large-scale application of diversionary food to reduce damage to newly planted trees. Crop Protection 27: 775-784. (FSP)

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, and P.M.F. Lindgren. 2008. Influence of variable retention harvests on forest ecosystems: Plant and mammal responses up to 8 years post-harvest. For. Ecol. Manage. 254: 239-254. (FSP)

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, P.M.F. Lindgren, and D.B. Ransome. 2007. Long-term responses of ecosystem components to stand thinning in young lodgepole pine forest: IV. Relative habitat use by mammalian herbivores. For. Ecol. Manage. 240: 32-41. (SFM)

Lindgren, P.M.F., T.P. Sullivan, D.S. Sullivan, R.P. Brockley, and R. Winter. 2007. Growth response of young lodgepole pine to thinning and repeated fertilization treatments: 10-year results. Forestry (In press). (FSP)

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, P.M.F. Lindgren, and D.B. Ransome. 2006. Influence of repeated fertilization on forest ecosystems: Relative abundance and habitat use by snowshoe hares. Can. J. For. Res. 36: 2080-2089. (FSP)

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, P.M.F. Lindgren, and D.B. Ransome. 2006. Influence of repeated fertilization on forest ecosystems: Relative habitat use by mule deer and moose. Can. J. For. Res. 36: 1395-1406. (FSP)

Sullivan, T.P. and D.S. Sullivan. 2006. Plant and small mammal diversity in orchard vs. non-crop habitats. Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment 116: 235-243. (MON)

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, P.M.F. Lindgren, and D.B. Ransome. 2006. Long-term responses of ecosystem components to stand thinning in young lodgepole pine forest: III. Growth of crop trees and coniferous stand structure. For. Ecol. Manage. 228: 69-81. (SFM)

Craig, V.J., W. Klenner, M.C. Feller, and T.P. Sullivan. 2006. Relationships between deer mice and downed wood in managed forests of southern British Columbia. Can. J. For. Res. 36: 2189-2203. (NSERC)

Lindgren, P.M.F., D.B. Ransome, D.S. Sullivan, and T.P. Sullivan. 2006. Plant community attributes 12 to 14 years following pre-commercial thinning in a young lodgepole pine forest. Can. J. For. Res. 36: 48-61. (SFM)

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, and E.J. Hogue. 2005. Population dynamics of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and yellow-pine chipmunks (Tamias amoenus) in old field and orchard habitats. Can. Field-Nat. (In press, January 2005). (AGR CAN)

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, D.G. Reid, and M. C. Leung. 2004. Weasels, voles, and trees: Influence of mustelid semiochemicals on vole populations and feeding damage. Ecol. Applica. 14: 999-1015. (NSERC)

Ransome, D.B., P.M. F. Lindgren, D.S. Sullivan, and T.P. Sullivan. 2004. Long-term responses of ecosystem components to stand thinning in young lodgepole pine forest: I. Population dynamics of red squirrels and northern flying squirrels. For. Ecol. Manage. 202: 355-367. (SFM and FIA).

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, P.M.F. Lindgren, and D.B. Ransome. 2005. Long-term responses of ecosystem components to stand thinning in young lodgepole pine forest: II. Diversity and

population dynamics of forest floor small mammals. For. Ecol. Manage. 205:1-14. (SFM and FIA)

Lautenschlager, R.A. and T.P. Sullivan. 2004. Improving research into effects of forest herbicide use on biota in northern ecosystems. Wildl Soc. Bull. 32: 1061-1070. (AMRI)

Sullivan, T.P. and D.S. Sullivan. 2004. Influence of a granivorous diversionary food on population dynamics of montane voles (Microtus montanus), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis). Crop Protection 23:191-200. (NSERC)

Ransome, D.B. and T.P. Sullivan. 2004. Effects of food and den-site supplementation on populations of Glaucomys sabrinus and Tamiasciurus douglasii. J. Mammal. 85: 206-215. (NSERC/CFS)

Articles Submitted to Refereed Journals

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, P.M.F. Lindgren, and D.B. Ransome. 2009. Variable retention and life after the beetle: Stand structure and small mammals 30 years after salvage harvesting. Ecological Applications (Submitted).

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, P.M.F. Lindgren, and D.B. Ransome. 2009. Long-term responses of mammalian herbivores to stand thinning and fertilization in young lodgepole pine forest. Forestry (Submitted).

Sullivan, T.P., D.S. Sullivan, and P.M.F. Lindgren. 2009. Dry Douglas-fir forests: Stand structure, openings, and maintenance of biodiversity using small mammal indicators. Can. J. For. Res. (Submitted).

Stromgren, E. and T.P. Sullivan. 2009. Pitfall versus Longworth livetrapping of shrews. Journal of Wildlife Management (Submitted).

Contributions to practical applications of knowledge

Sullivan, T.P. 2009. Dry Forests and Grasslands. Stand Structures, Range Habitats, and Small Mammals as Indicators of Biodiversity. Extension Brochure.

Sullivan, T.P. 2009. Life After the Beetle: Salvage Harvesting of MPB Pine and Green-Tree Retention. A 30-year Vision into the Future. Extension Brochure.

Sullivan, T.P. 2009.Integration of Non-Timber Forest Products with Timber Production. Extension Brochure.

Sullivan, T.P. 2004. Biodiversity & Farmland. Diversity and Conservation of Plants and Mammals in