Management of Eucalyptus plantations influences small mammal density: Evidence from Southern Europe

Mediterranean Eucalyptus plantations affect small mammal ectoparasites abundance but not individual body condition

“…The reduced food resources availability, often associated to production forests / plantations (Cruz, Sarmento, Rydevik, Rebelo, & White, ; Teixeira et al, ), may negatively influence body condition (Draycott, Hoodless, Ludiman, & Robertson, ; Helldin, ); but in our study, this lower availability (Teixeira et al, ) effects seem to be counteracted by the higher males' energetic costs, as gender, and not forest type, significantly influence body condition. Males have usually wider home‐ranges (Fernandez, Evans, & Dunstone, ), and are more actively involved in territory patrolling, resource searching and defending activities (which includes females; Kozakiewicz, Chołuj, & Kozakiewicz, ), whatever the type of forest considered, resulting in more extensive movements (Wolton, ) and higher energy demand that affect their body condition.…”

“…For example, Lemus et al () showed that great bustards ( Otis tarda ) living in Spanish agriculture areas had a higher parasite abundance and associated this with a decrease in their health condition due to the incidental ingestion of agrochemicals used to control agriculture pests. When environmental conditions are comparable—that is, host population dynamics are similar in the monitored environments (as in our case; Teixeira et al, ), and when sampling occurs simultaneously in all environments, differences in ectoparasite prevalence or abundance can be linked to hosts ability to fight ectoparasites colonization.…”

“…Furthermore, Wilson, Levine, and Spielman () also showed that a decrease in ungulates abundance may not implicate a reduction in tick numbers, if other suitable hosts are available, such as small mammals, or if there is a dilution effect, that is, a decrease of ectoparasites abundance with increasing hosts abundance and/or species richness; Krasnov, Stanko, & Morand, ). In our study area cattle and small mammals are more abundant in “montado” systems (Teixeira et al, ), which may lead to higher tick abundance of small mammals in Eucalyptus plantations due to the mentioned dilution effect. Furthermore, Friggens and Beier () showed that flea infestation was associated with higher landcover changes and disturbance, often linked to anthropic activities, due to ecosystems simplification, communities' disruption and the proliferation of generalist host species.…”

“…Moreover, this pattern suggests that small mammals are finding food resources within Eucalyptus plantations to maintain their body condition. Teixeira et al () evaluated shrub diversity occurring inside Eucalyptus stands and found fruit‐producing species that can be used directly by rodents as food sources (e.g., Myrtus sp. ; Bauduin, Cassaing, Issam, & Martin, ; Khammes & Aulagnier, ), and other (e.g., Cistus spp.…”

“…In the present study we aimed to test if the Eucalyptus globulus plantations have negative effect on small mammals' body condition and ectoparasite abundance (as defined by Bush et al, ), specifically mites and ticks (Arthropoda: Astigmata and Ixodida, respectively) and fleas (Arthropoda: Siphonaptera). We hypothesize that, although small mammals lived at similar densities in Eucalyptus stands and native woodlands, animals inhabiting the former will show: (1) lower body condition, due to lower food availability (Teixeira et al, ); and (2) higher ectoparasite abundance, associated with landcover changes and higher disturbance, since these last tend to affect ecosystems stability and decrease vertebrate diversity (i.e., simplification), favoring generalist host species that tend to harbor more ectoparasites (Friggens & Beier, ).…”