Ecological Factors Influencing Small Rodents in a Tree Thinned Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi Plantation

Lee, Jae-Kang; Hwang, Hyun-Su; Eom, Tae-Kyung; ShinJae, Rhim

doi:10.17582/journal.pjz/2019.51.6.2153.2160

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The topographic factors modulate microclimatic conditions and soil conditions, resulting in differences in the composition and structure of vegetation as an essential resource (benefit) for wildlife (Pintado et al 2001, Chun et al 2020, Lee et al 2020). Cover factors determine the availability of diverse food and shelter resources (benefit) for animals, which in turn control their body mass (Muñoz et al 2009, Lee et al 2019). The demographic factors cause differences in the body mass of individuals depending on sex, age structure and population size of conspecific and other sympatric species (Schulte‐Hostedde 2008, Mason et al 2014, Jarvis et al 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of multiple ecological factors on the body mass of small rodents in a forest ecosystem

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The body mass of animals is directly or indirectly affected by multiple ecological factors. However, the effects of ecological factors on the body mass are controversial, and a comprehensive study dealing diverse ecological factors is rare. This study was performed to determine the effects of ecological factors on the body mass of small rodents in a natural deciduous forest located on Mt Gariwang, Pyeongchang and Jeongseon, South Korea from May 2019 to October 2020. We classified ecological factors into topographic, climatic, cover and demographic factors. Three forest‐dwelling small rodent species, striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius, Korean field mouse A. peninsulae and red‐backed vole Myodes regulus, were captured using the capture–mark–recapture method. The findings showed that the body mass of three rodent species was not regulated by topographic factors. In addition, a high ambient temperature resulted in a heavy body mass for A. agrarius and A. peninsulae, and the A. agrarius body mass was negatively affected by extreme rainfall. The body mass of each rodent species had a specific response to the cover factors: ground vegetation, understory vegetation or downed trees. The three species showed sexual dimorphism and two Apodemus species competed each other. This study reveals that ecological factors affecting body mass differ among species. Our findings contribute to enhancing the understanding of variation in the body mass of animals, particularly small rodents, in response to diverse ecological factors.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of multiple ecological factors on the body mass of small rodents in a forest ecosystem

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…selecting habitat in various environments (Coda et al 2014;Lovera et al 2019;Lee et al 2020). This habitat preference of these species depends on the role of ground vegetation cover in providing food and shelter (Lee et al 2019). Additionally, A. agrarius avoided dense mid-story and sub-overstory vegetation; probably because tree canopy in the stand negatively affected the growth of ground vegetation by reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the ground (Bolen and Robinson 2003).…”

Section: Microhabitat Factormentioning

confidence: 99%

Short-term effects of tree thinning on microhabitat variables and rodents in Japanese larchLarix kaempferiforest

Son

Lee

Hwang

et al. 2021

Forest Science and Technology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We examined the short-term effects of tree thinning on microhabitat factors and the abundances of striped field mice Apodemus agrarius, Korean field mice Apodemus peninsulae, and Korean red-backed voles Myodes regulus within a Japanese larch Larix kaempferi forest in South Korea. Three different stands were thinned to 0%, 25%, or 50%. Ground vegetation was higher in the second year of tree thinning than in the first year. In the first year of thinning, ground vegetation was significantly higher in the control than in the 50% thinned stand, whereas the opposite trend was observed in the second year. Mid-story vegetation was higher in the control than in the 50% thinned stand. In the first year of thinning, the sub-overstory vegetation was higher in the control than in the 50% thinned stand. Basal area was the highest in the control stand. Abundances of the three rodent species were higher in the second year of tree thinning than in the first year. The abundance of A. peninsulae was higher in the control than in the 50% thinned stand. Overall, the three rodent species preferred microhabitats with dense ground vegetation. Our results showed that the short-term effects of tree thinning altered microhabitat factors and disturbed microhabitat conditions in the first year; furthermore, the 50% thinned stand did not provide suitable habitats for A. peninsulae. In this study, moderate (25%) tree thinning resulted in a convenient balance between biodiversity conservation and human demands for forest wood.

show abstract

“…Various studies have considered the relationships between slope gradient and vegetation and between vegetation and small-rodent populations (Xu et al, 2008;Dong et al, 2014;Lee et al, 2019). However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the relationships between all three.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cascade effects of slope gradient on ground vegetation and small-rodent populations in a forest ecosystem

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this study, we set out to determine the cascade effects of slope gradient on ground vegetation and small-rodent populations in a forest ecosystem. We focused on two forest-dwelling small rodents with different habitat requirements, the striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius (preferring dense ground vegetation) and the Korean field mouse A. peninsulae (dense forest and woodland). The study area comprised natural deciduous forests and Japanese larch Larix kaempferi plantations in South Korea. The abundance of A. agrarius but not that of A. peninsulae was related to slope gradient. There was a negative effect of slope gradient on ground vegetation coverage and a positive effect of ground vegetation on A. agrarius populations. Our results highlight that the population of A. agrarius was indirectly influenced by the negative effects of slope gradient on ground vegetation. Slope gradient can, therefore, be a limiting factor in the microhabitats occupied by small rodents. This study reveals a critical role for slope gradient since it can modify not only microhabitat conditions, but also small-rodent populations, and this finding can contribute to improved microhabitat management.

show abstract

Ecological Factors Influencing Small Rodents in a Tree Thinned Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi Plantation

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Effects of multiple ecological factors on the body mass of small rodents in a forest ecosystem

Effects of multiple ecological factors on the body mass of small rodents in a forest ecosystem

Short-term effects of tree thinning on microhabitat variables and rodents in Japanese larchLarix kaempferiforest

Cascade effects of slope gradient on ground vegetation and small-rodent populations in a forest ecosystem

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About