Root vole movement patterns: do ditches function as habitat corridors?

Abstract

Summary 0[ Ditches are often connected to root vole habitat patches "i[e[ moist reed patches# in the Netherlands[ Due to the linear structure of ditches and because ditch habitat is qualitatively similar to root vole habitat patches\ we hypothesized that ditches could function as habitat corridors facilitating dispersal movement of root voles[ In order to test this hypothesis\ we radiotracked root voles released in a landscape novel to them\ consisting of ditches and agricultural meadows[ 1[ Agricultural meadows often surround the marsh patches inhabited by root voles[ As the meadows are mowed regularly\ we included the length of the meadow vegetation as an experimental factor in the study[ 2[ Assuming that ditches function as habitat corridors\ we expected root voles in the ditches to move faster and more unidirectionally than root voles in the meadows\ and to prefer the ditches to meadows[ 3[ We found that the ditches did not facilitate faster movements than the meadows[ Although the root voles moved back and forth within the ditches\ they showed a more directional movement pattern than the root voles in the meadows[ Furthermore\ the root voles preferred the ditch habitat irrespective of the vegetative cover in the meadow[ 4[ We conclude that ditches could function as habitat corridors for root voles\ as they preferred to move in ditches when in unfamiliar areas[ Key!words] dispersal\ habitat preference\ linear habitat\ Microtus oeconomus[ Journal of Applied Ecology "0888# 25\ 398Ð310

The contribution of man-made ditches to the regional stream biodiversity of the new river watershed in the Florida panhandle

“…The association between connected ditches and altered streams creates a more extensive habitat with, effectively, a longer linear reach, a greater diversity of microhabitats, and a greater areal embrace. Previous studies have shown that many species use ditches as corridors to move through the landscape (Mauritzen et al, 1999;Marerolle, 2004;Cowely et al, 2007). Movement between connected ditches and altered streams or adult dispersal along their combined length can make this system behave as a much larger aquatic island within a terrestrial matrix and, as a result, have the capacity to harbor greater species richness than either the disconnected ditches or natural streams alone.…”

“…While much work has been done on the negative effects of irrigation canals and ditches on the wetlands they cross, less work has been done on the possible benefits of these structures in a rural setting where they do not accumulate urban runoff. While ditches serve as conduits for draining land, they may also serve as reservoirs for particular aquatic taxa and as potential corridors for movement of individuals among the wider range of habitats (Mauritzen et al, 1999;Marerolle, 2004;Cowley et al, 2007).…”

Ecological variables governing habitat suitability and the distribution of the endangered Juliana’s golden mole

“…Landscapes are naturally heterogeneous, comprising a mosaic of various habitat types that result in an uneven distribution of species over space (Mauritzen et al 1999;Sanderson et al 2002). Through evolutionary processes, organisms may respond to this variation by becoming either niche specialists or generalists (Elena & Sanjuán 2003;Harmon et al 2005).…”

Is habitat selection by the Cabrera vole (Microtus cabrerae) related to food preferences?

“…Most voles of the genus Microtus are generally associated with mesic or wet habitats dominated by monocotyledon plant species (Getz 1985;Mauritzen et al 1999;Mathias and Ramalhinho 1999;Palomo and Gisbert 2002). These grasslands do not necessarily have to be extensive or contiguous to be colonized since many species are commonly found in small dispersed grassy patches within forested areas (Getz 1985).…”