Effects of forest management on density and survival in three forest rodent species

摘要: Abstract Several studies have shown that small mammal communities are influenced by silvicultural activities, possibly because these affect the quality of wildlife habitats. Previous research mainly focused on community parameters and abundance target species, however most robust way to study impacts forestry is follow a demographic-response approach. Investigating multiple demographic measurements essential understand how populations respond forest management, nevertheless focusing lacking. Our analyses targeted individual survival population density, mechanisms which management exerts its effects mammals. We Apodemus flavicollis, A. sylvaticus Myodes glareolus, constituting guild forest- ground-dwelling rodents in central Italy. Populations were monitored for three years continuous subject different practices (mainly coppicing activities conifer afforestation). identified four types (three coppice stands logged plantation) where we selected 12 sampling areas. sampled total 31,752 trap-nights capturing more than 1350 individuals. also gathered quantitative data amount trophic cover resources each area better interpret response activities. For all had strong positive were, some cases, matched similar whereas afforestation plantations negatively affected flavicollis M. glareolus. found such as recently coppiced stands, did not create high-density sinks but, rather, enhanced carrying capacity habitats increasing availability food resources. On contrary, high resulted be less preferred habitat possibility due lack encompassing allowed us highlight affects populations.