Historical agricultural changes and the expansion of a water vole population in an Alpine valley

摘要: Small mammal population outbreaks are one of the consequences socio-economic and technological changes in agriculture. They can cause important economic damage generally play a key role food webs, as major resource for predators. The fossorial form water vole, Arvicola terrestris, was unknown Haute Romanche Valley (French Alps) before 1998. In 1998, first colony observed at top valley spread monitored during 12 years, until 2010. Spread occurred high density wave. Based on farming history (1810–2003, 193 years) spatio-temporal analysis crop rotations, our study indicates that this vole outbreak has been promoted by presence grassland corridors increase hayfield connectivity. These appeared result conversion cropped fields to hay meadows where have occurred. Spatial mosaic management grasslands with decreasing spatial connectedness should be considered prevent risks promote biodiversity.