Some species of mammals have been categorized according to wetland dependency by Brooks and Croonquist 1990, Durham et al. 1985, and Fritzell 1988. Response to particular stressors is described below. Attempts have been made in a few instances to measure the effects of severe organic loading, e.g., from wastewater outfalls, on overall community structure of wetland mammals. The effects of bioaccumulation of contaminants in wetland mammal tissues have sometimes been measured. Species assemblages for indicating the physical effects of oil spills can be easily identified based on characteristic behaviors of some wetland mammals.
Excessive sedimentation can alter food sources of wetland mammal communities.
Many mammals are sensitive to the presence and type of vegetation and its juxtapositioning with open water. T. striatus would be especially affected by the selective removal of eastern red cedar. Changes in wetland water level and soil moisture alter the quantity and quality of mammal habitat, and may trigger immigration and emmigration of particular species. The effects of dehydration may be particularly severe if they occur during hibernation, due to the effects of exposure. However, local changes in moisture regimes and other aspects of wetland habitat quality are frequently not reflected by indicator species of mammals because of the ability of mammals to move freely, in and out of impacted areas.