ARE A FEW MICE REALLY IMPORTANT?
Yes, you should definitely care and be concerned about the well being of the salt marsh harvest mouse species, because they offer many important ecological values that are necessary for their environment to function. The reason why they are so valuable is that other species count on them as a food source, which they need in order to survive. These animals include snakes, raptors, raccoons, and coyotes, which are all important to the ecosystem as well (Kids Species Information, 2014). Another thing that is very important to the
The thriving ecosystem of Suisun Bay is one of the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse's few remaining homes.
Photo from Steve Matarano
ecosystem and to these mice, is the place where they live; salt marshes. Salt marshes are estuaries that lie in between the ocean and land, that contains a mixture of freshwater and saltwater. Besides providing habitat to plenty of wildlife, these marshes help preserve water quality, filter stormwater pollutants, and prevent storm damage. In this habitat the tides carry in many nutrients, causing lots of plant growth. These tides also bring in organic material that helps feed many organisms that are living there. Since salt marshes are one of the most productive ecosystems on earth, they are not only important for animals but humans as well (Des, 2004). Another reason why these marshes have value to humans is that they provide the fish that we eat, with many rich nutrients.
WHAT COULD BE DONE TO HELP THIS CUTE, LITTLE MOUSE
​ Since the main cause for the harvest mouse being endangered is habitat loss, we need to help restore the salt marshes in order to save them. The salt marshes are easily damaged and destroyed by human activities such as oil spills, and agricultural drainage (Ocean Health Index, 2019). Some of the key things that have to be done while restoring this habitat is removing nonnative species, dikes, and levees. Levees are harmful to marshes because they reduce the health of floodplain ecosystems and reduce their ability to hold water during floods. All of these things will help bring back biodiversity to the ecosystem, causing a better home for the mice. In addition, there will be an increased positive aesthetic value on the ecosystem making it more beautiful for people to observe.
THE PROBLEM COULD BE SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO YOU
Another large threat that they face is something that might be living in your own house, cats. In order to help these harvest mice to survive, cat owners need to keep an eye out on their pet and make sure they are not harming this endangered species. According to wildlife experts, we are already heading in the right direction with protecting the harvest mouse, with a proposed city ban on public feeding of the cats (Dremann, 2013).
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THESE MICE ARE GONE
If we lose the little salt marsh harvest mice, it will cause a disruption to the food chain, since many animals rely on it for food. When the food chain is broken it can cause other species to disappear and the whole ecosystem can become imbalanced, or just collapse altogether. For example, if the mouse was gone, the snakes would lose their primary food source so then they could eventually end up dying. If the snakes died there would be less food for the birds, and it goes on and on. Also, if this harvest mouse goes extinct, there would be nothing to eat the salty pickleweed and grasses, and keep the ecosystem in check.
IF THE MARSHES ARE DESTROYED?
If we were to lose the salt marsh habitat, we would lose a critical part of the natural environment that contains a wide diversity of life, that is found nowhere else (NOAA, 2019). We would lose not only the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse, but so many other animals like crabs, snails, mussels, and worms. Salt Marshes also protect shorelines from erosion, and help prevent flooding, so without this habitat we would have a very big problem.
IT'S PRETTY SCARY
If we were to lose the salt marsh habitat, we would lose a critical part of the natural environment that contains a wide diversity of life, that is found nowhere else (NOAA, 2019). We would lose not only the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse, but so many other animals like crabs, snails, mussels, and worms. Salt Marshes also protect shorelines from erosion and help prevent flooding, so without this habitat, we would have additional problems to face.
Background Photo by Susannah Anderson