scholarly journals Small Mammals in Forests of Romania: Habitat Type Use and Additive Diversity Partitioning

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1107
Author(s):  
Anamaria Lazăr ◽  
Ana Maria Benedek ◽  
Ioan Sîrbu
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Time Dimension ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Diversity

Small mammals are key components of forest ecosystems, playing vital roles for numerous groups of forest organisms: they exert bottom-up and top-down regulatory effects on vertebrate and invertebrate populations, respectively; they are fungus- and seed-dispersers and bioturbators. Therefore, preserving or restoring the diversity of small mammal communities may help maintain the functions of these ecosystems. In Romania, a country with low-intensity forest management and a high percentage of natural forests compared to other European countries, an overview of forest small mammal diversity and habitat type use is lacking, and our study aimed to fill this gap. We also aimed to partition the total small mammal diversity of Romanian forests into the alpha (plot-level), beta, and delta (among forest types) diversities, as well as further partition beta diversity into its spatial (among plots) and temporal (among years) components. We surveyed small mammals by live trapping in eight types of forest across Romania. We found that small mammal abundance was significantly higher in lowland than in mountain forests, but species richness was similar, being associated with the diversity of tree canopy, with the highest values in mixed forests. In contrast, small mammal heterogeneity was related to overall habitat heterogeneity. As predicted, community composition was most distinct in poplar plantations, where forest specialists coexist with open habitat species. Most of the diversity was represented by alpha diversity. Because of strong fluctuations in population density of dominant rodents, the temporal component of beta heterogeneity was larger than the spatial component, but species richness also presented an important temporal turnover. Our results show the importance of the time dimension in the design of the surveys aiming at estimating the diversity of small mammal communities, both at the local and regional scales.

scholarly journals Mow the Grass at the Mouse’s Peril: Diversity of Small Mammals in Commercial Fruit Farms

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linas Balčiauskas ◽  
Laima Balčiauskienė ◽  
Vitalijus Stirkė
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
The Common ◽  
Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Diversity

Small mammals are not only pests but also an important part of agricultural ecosystems. The common vole is a reference species for risk assessment of plant protection products in the European Union, but no data about the suitability of the species in the Baltic countries are present so far. Using the snap-trap line method, we evaluated species composition, abundance, and diversity of small mammal communities in commercial orchards and berry plantations in Lithuania, testing the predictions that (i) compared with other habitats, small mammal diversity in fruit farms is low, and (ii) the common vole is the dominant species. The diversity of small mammals was compared with control habitats and the results of investigations in other habitats. Out of ten small mammal species registered, the most dominant were common vole and striped field mouse. Small mammal diversity and abundance increased in autumn and decreased in line with the intensity of agricultural practices but were not dependent on crop type. In the most intensively cultivated fruit farms, small mammals were not found. The diversity of small mammal communities in fruit farms was significantly higher than in crop fields and exceeded the diversities found in most types of forests except those in rapid succession.

Terrestrial Small Mammal Communities from Hârtibaciu Plateau (Romania)/Comunităţi de mamifere mici terestre din Podişul Hârtibaciu (România)

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Benedek ◽  
Ioan Sîrbu ◽  
Anca Bucur ◽  
Victoria Cociş ◽  
Adrian Răulea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Index Number ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Live Trapping ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Communities ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Active Trap

Abstract Small mammal communities were studied by live trapping during August-September 2010 and June-September 2011 in three localities from Hârtibaciu Plateau, in southern Transylvania. The area is situated between 420 and 550 m a.s.l., and represents a mosaic of small patches of different land use. 200 traps were set in lines for three consecutive nights, in 80 different habitats representing 12 habitat types, both cultivated and semi-natural. 1235 small mammals belonging to 15 species (four soricomorphs and 11 rodents) were captured. Abundance of small mammals was expressed by means of capture index (number of individuals caught per 100 active trap-nights). The community structure was strongly shaped by habitat type, even in case of small land patches. Microtus arvalis prevailed in the investigated area, being the dominant species in open fields with high grassy vegetation. The density of this species increased strongly from the beginning of summer to autumn, when the traps were occasionally saturated with field voles.

Changes in small mammal communities after logging in north-central Ontario

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 970-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur M. Martell
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
North Central ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Small Mammal Community ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Community ◽  
Mammal Communities

Changes in small mammal communities following logging were monitored in clear-cut and strip-cut upland black spruce (Picea mariana) stands and in selectively cut mixed wood stands in north-central Ontario. Clear-cutting and subsequent scarification essentially eliminated the vegetative cover. Much of the ground cover recovered within 5 years and shrubs within 12 years, but mosses and lichens took much longer. The small mammal community in both clear-cut and strip-cut stands changed over the first three years after logging from one dominated by southern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi) to one dominated by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and then remained relatively stable for up to 13 years after harvest. That shift was not apparent in selectively cut mixed wood stands where the composition of the small mammal community was similar between uncut stands and stands 4–23 years after harvest. There was relatively little change in total numbers of small mammals after logging. In general, the diversity and evenness of small mammals increased or remained stable in the first 1–3 years following harvest, decreased on older (3–16 years) cuts, and then increased to values similar to those in uncut stands on the oldest (19–23 years) cuts.

scholarly journals The Effect of Fire on Bird and Small Mammal Communities in the Grasslands of Wind Cave National Park

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 95-99
Author(s):  
Jon Forde ◽  
Norman Sloan
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
National Park ◽  
Breeding Populations ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Management Recommendations ◽  
Mammal Communities ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Prairie Vegetation

Specifically, the objectives of this research project were to: 1) Census burned and unburned grassland areas for breeding populations of birds and small mammals. Population censuses have been made on areas prescribed burned between 1973 and 1978 as well as the areas burned in the spring of 1981; 2) Analyze study transect vegetation to determine the impact of burning treatments on prairie vegetation and its relationship to bird and small mammal densities; 3) Provide usable management recommendations that will aid not only in vegetation maintenance but also with the animal populations associated with the grasslands.

scholarly journals Artisanal mining impacts small mammals while chainsaw milling is a more sustainable practice in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Adjei Lawer ◽  
Anne-Christine Mupepele ◽  
Alexandra-Maria Klein
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Artisanal Mining ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Undisturbed Forest ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Communities

AbstractLogging and mining are widespread in most West African countries and considering their socio-economic importance, little is known about their ecological impacts. In this study, we investigated the effects of chainsaw milling (logging) and artisanal mining on terrestrial small mammal communities in a tropical forest in Ghana. For this, we compared abundance, diversity measures and community composition of small mammals active at the forest floor in logged, mined and undisturbed forest sites. We found that abundance was higher in logged and undisturbed forest sites than in mined sites. Small mammal species richness, Shannon diversity and Pielou’s evenness did not differ significantly among the three forest disturbance categories. Community composition of small mammals varied between mined and undisturbed sites as well as between mined and logged sites, suggesting differential species responses to altered environments. This may be due to the presence of pits in mined forest sites, hence a reduction in exploitable ground habitat structures for shelter, nesting or food. Overall, our results suggest that artisanal mining has strong impacts on community composition of forest floor small mammals in tropical forests while the effect of logging by chainsaw milling activities is minimal, especially when practiced at low intensity. This effect was moderated by elevation and distance to streams that equally shaped small mammal communities. More research on the effects of specific forms of logging and mining activities on small mammals are urgently needed to better protect species in forests impacted by logging and mining.

IMPACT OF AGROCENOSES ON THE POPULATIONS OF SMALL MAMMALS OF RECREATIONAL PINE FORESTS IN THE TOM RIVER VALLEY

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.M. Luchnikova ◽  
◽  
V.B. Ilyashenko ◽  
N.S. Teplova ◽  
A.V Kovalevskiy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Limited Ability ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Communities

The paper is devoted to studying the influence of agricultural lands on the formation of small mammal communities in the pine forests of the Tom River Valley. For the analysis, we took sites of natural and artificial pine forests of different areas experiencing various anthropogenic pressures. A relationship was found between the size of the pine forest and its resistance to invasive species. The creation of artificial pine forests in the forest-steppe does not lead to the formation of typical forest communities of small mammals, due to their limited ability to resettle.

scholarly journals Small Mammal Communities After Two Recent Natural Fires in Yellowstone National Park

1979 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 128-132
Author(s):  
R. Moore ◽  
M. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Fire Policy ◽  
Natural Fires ◽  
Wilderness Areas ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Communities

As part of the National Park Service's goal of maintaining an area in as natural condition as possible, Yellowstone National Park in 1972 developed a fire policy whereby natural fires were allowed to burn in wilderness areas of the park. Several investigators have studied the relationship between small mammals and fire due to timber management practices (Gashwiler, 1970 and Tevis, 1956) but few studies have investigated the changes in abundance and composition of species of small mammals after recent natural fires (Bendell 1974). The purpose of this ongoing study is to quantify the effects that recent natural fires have had upon small mammal communities. Two burn sites were studies, the Divide fire which burned in 1976 on the south arm of Yellowstone Lake, and the Trail Creek Fire which burned in 1974 on the southeast arm of the lake.

The helminth parasites of some small mammal communities. I. The parasites and their hosts

Parasitology ◽  
1964 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. I. Sharpe
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Sorex Araneus ◽  
Clethrionomys Glareolus ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Microtus Agrestis ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Communities

1. A method of trapping small mammals has been described and Apodemus sylvaticus, Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus agrestis and Sorex araneus were captured. The method of trapping has been discussed.2. A survey of the endoparasites found in the four host species has been produced. The two more common hosts and four of their parasites have been chosen for more detailed study.3. The infection levels of the parasites in the two hosts have been calculated and compared with other published data.This work was carried out during the tenure of a Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Studentship. My thanks are due to Dr H. D. Crofton for his very helpful supervision and criticism and to Professor J. E. Harris, F.R.S., in whose department this work was done, for the facilities provided.

Effects of anthropogenic and demographic factors on patterns of parasitism in African small mammal communities

Parasitology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 512-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHANNA S. SALZER ◽  
DARIN S. CARROLL ◽  
AMANDA JO WILLIAMS-NEWKIRK ◽  
STEFANIE LANG ◽  
JULIAN KERBIS PETERHANS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Habitat Disturbance ◽  
Host Community ◽  
Community Factors ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Communities ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYHabitat disturbance often results in alterations in community structure of small mammals. Additionally, the parasites harboured by these small mammals may be impacted by environmental changes or indirectly affected by changes in available hosts. To improve our understanding of this interplay, we examined the patterns of parasitism in small mammal communities from a variety of habitats in forested Uganda. Small mammals were collected from areas experiencing variable habitat disturbance, host density and species richness. The analysis focused on 3 most abundant rodent species, Lophuromys aquilus, Praomys jacksoni and Hylomyscus stella, and a diverse group of parasites they harbour. The impact of various habitat and host community factors on parasite prevalence was examined using linear regression and Spearman's rank-order correlation. We further investigated the parasite communities associated with each individual using correspondence analysis. We determined that, parasite prevalence and richness may be occasionally influenced by community and habitat factors, but taxonomy is a driving force in influencing the parasite community harboured by an individual host. Ultimately, applying general principles across a broad range of disturbance levels and diverse host communities needs to be approached with caution in complex communities.

scholarly journals Terrestrial Small Mammal Communities from the Făgăraş Piedmont (Romania)

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-304
Author(s):  
Anamaria Lazăr ◽  
Cătălin Lazăr ◽  
Ana Maria Benedek ◽  
Ana Maria Şuvăială
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Unused Land ◽  
Chionomys Nivalis ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Field Campaigns ◽  
Mammal Communities ◽  
Release Method

Abstract So far 24 species of terrestrial small mammals are known from Făgăraş Piedmont, one of them (Chionomys nivalis) requiring further confirmation, as its presence at this elevation is put under question by the authors. In 2010 and 2011 three field campaigns were carried out in Făgăraş Piedmont, which targeted the abundance and structure of terrestrial small mammal communities in different habitats from three localities, using the capture-mark-release method. 61 transects of traps were installed in 9 types of habitats. 491 small mammals were captured belonging to 14 species, three shrews and 11 rodents. The highest densities were recorded in cultures and unused land, but specific diversity is not correlated with abundance.

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