The number of small rodents in a mixed beech forest (in Southern Poland) was determined by the method of prebaiting and intensive removal during 3 years. Bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) and field mice (Apodemus flavicollis) showed in this period the population cycle from a higher density (the mean number 16 + 11 animals/ha/year) to a lower one (4 + 4 per ha). The age of all the voles and mice (N = 819) was determined with the accuracy of approximately 1 month. From the age structure and mortality in the cohorts the life tables were constructed. The life span of voles was 2.4 months on the average, and that of mice -3.1. The survival in both populations depends on the density; during the years of lower density the mean life span was longer (3.2 and 3.6 months, respectively). The number of new born per year as well as individual growth curves in field conditions for both rodents were determined. Within the average life span the voles reach only 13.2 of body weight and mice 19.1 g while the corresponding figures for trappable animals are 17.3 and 22.7 g.The net production was computed from the growth-survivorship curves. In the high density population of voles the net production reached 1.142 g or 1.666 kcal/ha/year. As much as 58 per cent of this value was provided by the production due to reproduction. The turnover of individuals exceeded the turnover of biomass by 10 to 31 per cent. Other methods of estimation of the production based on the turnover of individuals were also compared and discussed.
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