Influence of forest fragmentation on the distribution of small terrestrial mammals in fir-beech commercial forest

Abstract

Differences in abundance and spatial distribution of small terrestrial mammals were compared between the forest interior and clearing. In total, seven micromammalian species were detected. Of them, only three species were captured within the forest interior, whereas six species were recorded on the clearing. Apodemus flavicollis and Clethrionomys glareolus were dominant species. Another five species were recorded scarcely. Abundance of Apodemus flavicollis reached significantly (P < 0.001) the highest value in the forest interior. On the contrary, Clethrionomys glareolus was significantly (P < 0.001) attracted by the clearing. The distribution of two dominant rodent species probably reflected the high beechnut supply in the given period. The relationships between food supply and microhabitat preferences of Apodemus flavicollis and Clethrionomys glareolus were discussed.

Abundance of bank vole (Myodes glareolus Schreb.) as an indicative factor of different forest structure and management in the Drava plain region

“…The study of the effects of habitat structure on bank vole populations shows that habitat suitability is determined by abundance and spatial distribution (Hansson, 1978;Mazurkiewicz, 1994). Based on numerous studies, the bank vole is a typical forest-dwelling and suitable model species, because it plays an important indicator role in the dynamics of woodland habitats and ecosystem health (Ecke et al, 2002;Flowerdew et al, 2004;Suchomel, 2007) as well as in the evaluation of the impact of forest disturbance and management (Gliwicz & Glowacka, 2000;Gorini et al, 2011;Lešo et al, 2014;. Moreover, bank vole population outbreaks can cause considerable damage in forestry (Imholt et al, 2015) and this rodent species can transmit the Puumala hantavirus to humans (Voutilainen et al, 2012;Bjedov et al, 2016).…”

“…The response of bank vole to different forest structure, stand composition and traditional and alternative forest management types were often tested by microhabitat association. Numerous studies demonstrated that the high density of bank vole was associated with dense and structurally complex understorey vegetation (Mazurkiewicz & Rajska-Jurgiel, 1989;Chetnicki & Mazurkiewicz, 1994;Miklós & Žiak, 2002;Lešo et al, 2014;Suchomel et al, 2014) where it finds better food availability, shelters and nest sites (Chetnicki & Mazurkie-wicz, 1994;Buesching et al, 2008). In addition, many studies highlighted that the cover of dead wood was an important environmental factor for the bank vole's microhabitat selection, spatial distribution and abundance (Miklós & Žiak, 2002;Lešo et al, 2016;Zwolak et al, 2016).…”

Response of the dominant rodent species to close-to-nature logging practices in a temperate mixed forest

“…Summarising current knowledge, both species are considered forest generalists, however, the bank vole seems to be more selective in habitat use than the yellow-necked mouse. Regarding their microhabitat, the bank vole relies especially on dense undergrowth (Pucek 1983, Mazurkiewicz & Rajska-Jurgiel 1987, Chetnicki & Mazurkiewicz 1994, Miklós & Žiak 2002, Hlôška & Saniga 2005, Buesching et al 2008, Lešo et al 2014, Suchomel et al 2014, where it feeds mainly on forbs and forbs-like vegeta-tion, tree leaves, large tree seeds and fungi (Hansson 1985). On the other hand, the yellow-necked mouse inhabits forest stands of various ages (Montgomery 1978, Gurnell et al 1992, Marsh & Harris 2000, Miklós & Žiak 2002, Vukićević-Radić et al 2006, Suchomel et al 2014.…”