Abstract

Small mammal dynamics vary geographically, with differences in annual variations of total numbers, species composition, body weight and reproduction. Such differences have previously been related to large-scale variations in predator numbers and species composition as dependent on landscape composition. Landscape effects on locally equivalent habitat types were examined in this study for a distance as short as 50 km. Different landscape types were compared - first, taiga and agricultural landscapes and second, agricultural landscapes with different predation pressures. Taiga landscapes supported typically cyclic small mammal populations, agricultural landscapes more non-cyclic populations and a predator-free area unusually large small mammal populations. Differences in the relative numbers of small mammal species, seasonal dynamics and demography were consistent with predictions of varying predator impacts. Our study demonstrated that even short-distance differences in dynamics can be distinguished and interpreted in terms of community interactions.

Published in

Annales Zoologici Fennici
1993, Volume: 30, number: 1, pages: 31-42
Publisher: FINNISH ZOOLOGICAL BOTANICAL PUBLISHING BOARD

SLU Authors

• Hansson, Lennart

  • Department of Wildlife Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Angelstam, Per

  • Department of Wildlife Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/53432