J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(8):324-329 | DOI: 10.17221/86/2013-JFS

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

P. Lešo1, A. Lešová2, R. Kropil1
1 Department of Forest Protection and Game Management, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovak Republic
2 State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic, Banská Bystrica, Slovak Republic

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.

Keywords: Apodemus flavicollis; Clethrionomys glareolus; microhab itat preferences

Published: August 31, 2014  Show citation

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Lešo P, Lešová A, Kropil R. Influence of forest fragmentation on the distribution of small terrestrial mammals in fir-beech commercial forest. J. For. Sci. 2014;60(8):324-329. doi: 10.17221/86/2013-JFS.
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