Landscape structure and the long-term decline of cyclic grey-sided voles in Fennoscandia

摘要: Changes in forest landscape structure have been suggested as a likely contributing factor behind the long-term decline numbers of cyclic grey-sided voles (Clethrionomys rufocanus) northern Fennoscandian lowland regions contrast to mountain due absence management mountains. This study, for first time, formally explored 29 (LF) and 14 (MF) landscapes (each 2.5 × km) Sweden, related results cumulated spring trapping index vole 2002–2006. The showed striking contrasts dynamics close space time. MF were characterized by larger patches less fragmentation preferred types. was trapped all analyzed but only three out LF landscapes. with occurrence similar focal patch size (mean 357 ha, minimum 82 ha mean 360 79 respectively). In contrast, these compared types fragmented lower proportion clear-cut areas. present suggest that is important abundance both regions. However, mountains change from more or seasonal high-amplitude cycles between mid 1990s 2000s cannot be explained changes structure.