Šumarski list, Vol. 137 No. 9-10, 2013.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
THE IMPACT OF THE HABITAT TO THE PRESENCE OF BANK MOLE (Myodes glareolus) AND YELLOW-THROAT MOUSE (Apodemus falvicollis) IN THE AREA OF BOSNIA
Osman Mujezinović
; Šumarski fakultet Univerziteta u Sarajevu
Josip Margaletić
; Šumarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Tarik Treštić
; Šumarski fakultet Univerziteta u Sarajevu
Mirza Dautbašić
orcid.org/0000-0003-1057-9397
; Šumarski fakultet Univerziteta u Sarajevu
Sažetak
The increase of the number of population of small rodents, when they can cause significant damage, among the other impacts also depends on the characteristics of the habitat. In this paper was tested the impact of habitats elements to the presence of bank vole (Myodes glareolus) and yellow necked mouse (Apodemus falvicollis). The researches were undertaken in the area of Bosnia (Bitovnja, Zvijezda and Igman) in the period 2008 and 2009. Different level of composition of plant communities and the character of human-caused impact on the object of research have enabled the identification of their impact to the presence of small rodents. Defining of types of habitat conditions for these animals was conducted according to the importance of their presence at the parts of plots of minimal square (Picture 1). This method means the determination of numerousness (abundance) of the population of small rodents based on the number of units collected at the total of 64 hunting locations/places. Hunting places of the plot were defined as small plots (micro-localities) the size of which was 15 x 15 m.
For the needs of this paper, in the period of research, were placed 9 plots with minimal square, and the assessment of habitat parameters was conducted at the total of 576 small plots. The description of the habitat was intended to find the dependence between the numerousness (abundance) and living ambiance of the present species of small rodents at the researched localities. The pattern for typing (standardization) of the habitat contained the basic factors which individually or in combination describe the living space of these animals. The level of land coverage by tree crowns was defined with three categories: (1) covered, (2) partially covered, and (3) not covered. The assessment of exposure of the small plot had five categories, (1–4) for main sides of the world and (5) flat surface of the small plot. The category micro-relief has contained five elements: (1) flat small plot, (2) small plot with hollows, (3) small plot with elevations, (4) uniformly inclined surface and (5)
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combination of micro-hollows and micro-elevations. Coverage of the land with leaf litter and vegetation as the category had six elements: (1) covered with leaf litter, (2) grass vegetation, (3) combination of two previous elements, (4) without leaf litter or grass vegetation, (5) less presence of weed and (6) weeds more represented. Availability of water was reviewed through two categories: (1) available water, (2) waterless habitat. Quantity of wood remains (1) no remains, (2) medium quantity and (3) more remains present. Age of wood remains had three categories: (1) fresh remains, (2) medium-fresh remains and (3) completely decomposed. For this analysis was used the statistical program SPSS Statistics 17.0. Testing of the importance of the impact of particular ecological parameters was conducted by the analysis Cross Tab, by implementing of the method: Analyze/Descriptive/Crosstab and correlative connection Correlation, Bivariate Correlation, Correlation Coefficient, Spearman, Test of Significance Two – tailed. Based on the examination of the caught species of small rodents (Table 1) was visible its significant representation in forests of beech and fir with spruce in Bosnia and Herzegovina. By conducted analyses was identified the existence of statistically important impact of particular parameters of micro-habitat at plots of all localities to the presence of M. glareolus and A. flavicollis (Tables 2–4).
At particular parts of plots, or small plots, the more significant increase of the openness of the surface has contributed to forming of rich layer of ground vegetation. The change of micro-habitat conditions in this sense also had positively reflected to the numerousness (abundance) of M. glareolus (Tables 2 and 4). The favorable impact to its presence also had the intensively developed floor of herbaceous plants in the forest which provides the necessary food. From the aspect of the protection, the dense vegetation cover provides to this species a safe shelter from predators, especially at dusk, and partially also during the day time. The existence of the connection between this habitat parameter and the presence of A. flavicollis was not identified. Such result was expected due to significantly different demands of this species regarding the habitat conditions. This species prefers a dry habitat with almost complete level of canopy, poorly developed layer of brush and ground vegetation and large quantity of leaf litter at the ground with plenty of beech seeds. Significant correlation connection was identified between the presence of species from the genus Rubus and bank mole at Mt. Bitovnja. Namely, Rubus species create favorable place for living of animals at particular micro-habitat providing an adequate shelter and during the ripening of fruits (July-August) also the plenty of food. Significant differences regarding the numerousness of M. glareolus were identified in comparison of numerousness at southern-exposed small plots compared to other exposures (Table 2), and numerousness at eastern-exposed parts of plots compared to the other (Table 3). The impact of the exposure as the result represents in essence the demand of this species for increased heat and light. According to the results of these researches, one could say that for bank mole are favorable habitats with micro-hollows (Table 3). High numbers of these animals are related to the presence of small hollows, or it indicates its preference for moist or wet surfaces of the habitat. There were identified significant differences in numerousness of M. glareolus and A. flavicollis depending on the presence of dead wood (Tables 2, 3 and 4). Different dead wood remains like: assortments, logs and branches, ensure shelter for these animals. It covers underground passages and nests, and, what is also important, indirectly, by growing of plants, moss, lichens and fungi on it, also provide food for it. Fallen trees help the inhabiting of insects and other invertebrates which represent significant share in the nutrition of small rodents. Identified impacts of the presence of different tree species and its structure, and the other parameters of habitat to the representation and abundance of species of small rodents can represent a good starting basis in creating the silviculture works and other activities in the forest, or the forming of conditions of stands unfavorable for their living.
Ključne riječi
bank vole; M. glareolus; yellow necked mouse; A. flavicollis; habitat factors; numerousness/abundance; Common beech; Silver fir; Norway spruce; forest; habitat
Hrčak ID:
111636
URI
Datum izdavanja:
31.10.2013.
Posjeta: 1.646 *