Small mammal community succession on the beach of Dongting Lake, China after the Three Gorges Project

摘要: Although the Three Gorges Project (TGP) may have affected population structure and distribution of plant animal communities, few studies analyzed effect this project on small mammal communities. Therefore, present paper compares communities inhabiting beaches Dongting Lake using field investigations spanning a 20-year period, both before after TGP was implemented. Snap traps were used throughout census. The results indicate that caused major changes to community at lake downstream dam. First, species abundance increased commenced. striped mouse (Apodemus agrarius) Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), which rarely inhabited beach TGP, became abundant (with marked growth) once water impounded by Reservoir. Second, dominant concentration indices exhibited stepwise decline, indicating changed from single more diverse mix implementation. Third, regulation discharge release might an increase in diversity beaches. A significant difference obtained operation. Similarity also gradual numbers. Hence, long-term should be established monitor fluctuations Yangtze vole (Microtus fortis), safeguard against outbreaks (similar outbreak 2007), could cause crop damage adjacent farmland, addition documenting succession process Lake.