Patterns of vole gnawing on saplings in managed clearings in Central European forests

摘要: Abstract Sustainable management of European forests aims to ensure economic targets (timber production) as well ecological the forest (maintenance biodiversity). Smaller-sized clear-cutting followed by artificial planting creates a mosaic small patches suitable for many mammals including three possible pest species – bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), field (Microtus agrestis) and common arvalis). The gnawing pattern was studied on number small-sized clearings (up 2 hectares) situated in managed Czech Republic (Central Europe). Damage voles occurred almost all study areas; mostly damaged were saplings at age up 5 years after planting, with herb layer dominated grasses above 700 m a.s.l. identified main its density most important predictor occurrence even though usually lower than that vole. Gnawing caused direct mortality greater degree other biotic factors deer fraying browsing; however, able repress effect natural re-grow bark majority survived, significant stem deformations. While strong inter-annual variation damage rate is reported northern Europe, rates Central are (at about 3.5% per annum) but more consistent only moderate variation. As result, despite relatively low which may occur any given year, levels can accumulate over several years implications forestry management.