Studies on spatial-temporal dynamics of small mammals in the Wilderness Area Dürrenstein
Abstract
Small mammals play an important role in terrestrial ecosystems by representing a seed predator and disperser guild in forest ecosystems, which influence regeneration dynamics, evolution and tree species coexistence. Besides, they serve as basic food resource for several predators and as hosts for various pathogens. Small mammals are relatively short-lived, show highly variable temporal dynamics, respond rapidly to changing environmental conditions and are easy to determine (e.g., by live-trapping). Thus, they lend themselves as examination objects in ecological long-term studies. In central Europe, small mammal population dynamics are heavily triggered by mast incidents of trees, contrary to cyclic populations in Fennoscandia where intraspecific factors are assumed to be crucial drivers. Previous studies on predation of tree seeds and seedlings in the Wilderness Area Dürrenstein indicated that small mammals may have a distinct impact on the survival of tree seeds and seedlings. There is evidence that masting of trees is increasing (both in terms of frequency of mast events and in quantity of seeds) in large parts of Europe partially due to climate change. Thus, peak years of small mammal population densities might occur more frequently in the future affecting, beneath others, forest regeneration dynamics, population cycles of predators or the occurrence of vector-borne diseases (e.g., haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome caused by Hantavirus infections). However, data on population cycles of small mammals in Alpine forest ecosystems are rare. Objectives of the study are (1) records of seasonal dynamics of local small mammal populations (by live-trapping), (2) comparisons of primeval and managed forest ecosystems and (3) modeling of spatial use patterns of small mammals.
small mammals population dynamics forest ecosystems
Publikationen
Project staff
Ursula Nopp-Mayr
Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Ursula Nopp-Mayr
ursula.nopp-mayr@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83001, 83227
Project Staff
01.02.2015 - 14.12.2015