Multiple ecological processes underpin the eruptive dynamics of small mammals: House mice in a semi‐arid agricultural environment

摘要: Mouse plagues are a regular feature of grain-growing regions, particularly in southern and eastern Australia, yet it is not clear what role various ecological processes play the eruptive dynamics generating these outbreaks.This research was designed to assess impact adding food, water, cover all combinations on breeding performance, abundance, survival mouse populations typical cereal growing farm northwestern Victoria.Supplementary were applied 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design 240 m sections internal fence lines between wheat or barley crops stubble/pasture fields over an 11-month period populations.We confirmed that mice eating additional food accessing water provided. We did generate outbreak mice, but there some significant effects from experimental treatments. Additional increased population size twofold improved apparent survival. Both performance. Food survival.Our findings confirm access necessary for outbreaks, sufficient. There remain factors important plagues, climatically variable agricultural environment.