Rodents in grassland habitats: does livestock grazing matter? A comparison of two Alpine sites with different grazing histories

摘要: ABSTRACT Intensive livestock grazing is a major force in shaping ecosystems, especially where topography and soil features preclude other farmland practices. In subalpine landscapes, it may be the main disturbance agent. Nevertheless, information on impact some species, mammals, lacking. Here, we investigate whether abundance of rodents grasslands Alps related to intensity grazing, determined according dominant pastoral types. Using Generalized Linear Models, compared site intensively grazed until recently (“formerly area”, Dactylis glomerata L. type), with an area that experienced little or no past decades (“lightly Carex sempervirens Vill. type). Data were collected during three trapping sessions summer 2011, using sampling design based small plots. Rodents (Apodemus spp. Eliomys quercinus Linnaeus, 1766) mainly trapped lightly gr...