The influence of high nestbox density on the common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius population

摘要: The response of common dormouseMuscardinus avellanarius Linnaeus, 1758 population to availability nest sites was studied by manipulating the nestbox grid and ring-marking dormice. Abundance adult dormice more than doubled in 25 × m comparison 50 grid, as a result increased density from four 16 boxes/ha. This effect already became apparent first year after additional nestboxes were made available resulted dormouse immigration, mostly adjacent areas without nestboxes. In second third years, number two-year-old older resident dormice, which had their home ranges this plot, considerably. average size range decreased approximately half both males females compared grid. proportion breeding did not differ between two grids spite different density. Shortage secure limiting factor for abundance forest where natural tree hollows absent, high environmental carrying capacity.