Influence of edge effects on common vole population abundance in an agricultural landscape of eastern France.

摘要: Vole demographics are often modified close to wooded environments. Population monitoring in such settings reveals substantial edge effects, although these have seldom been quantified. This study compares the abundance of common voleMicrotus arvalis (Pallas, 1778) populations at various distances from three types environment (hedgerow, copse and forest) two habitat (temporary permanent grassland). In temporary grassland, effects were detected along boundaries forests hedgerows. At 100 m forest edge, voles twice more abundant than 50 m, four times 25 eight 5 m. effect was that practically absent up edge. For both pronounced for hedgerows, is, elements with a large surface area environment. Our results suggest landscape context may greatly affect local voles. Given considerable damage done byM. arvalis, presence patches grassland areas leads lower vole densities adjacent this might be an alternative method controlM. as pest species.