Responses of Small Mammals to the Clearcutting of Northern Appalachian Forests

摘要: The community and population responses of small mammals to clearcutting northern deciduous boreal coniferous forests were studied in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. Snap-trap sampling mature on clearcuts varying known ages revealed that is followed by increases mammal abundance diversity persist until succession returns area forest. Initial both forest types included catch/unit effort (number/100 trapnights), density (number/hectare), (Shannon Index, H, evenness, H/Hmax), addition shifts relative individual species trophic groups (insectivores, Soricidae; grazers, Microtinae; granivore-omnivores, Sciuridae, Cricetinae, Zapodidae). three differed two zones. Changes insectivores generally smaller than those grazers granivore-omnivores. Three rare trapped recent clearcuts; long-tailed shrew ( Sorex dispar ) occurred only zone, whereas southern bog lemming Synaptomys cooperi rock vole Microtus chrotorrhinus zones. Patterns change similar However, composition (species groups) more pronounced zone.