ISSN:
1572-9761
Keywords:
landscape ecology
;
corridors
;
meadow vole
;
Microtus pennsylvanicus dispersal
;
population dynamics
;
connectivity
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract We tested the effects of increased landscape corridor width and corridor presence on the population dynamics and home range use of the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) within a small-scale fragmented landscape. Our objective was to observe how populations behaved in patchy landscapes where the animals home range exceeded or equaled patch size. We used a small-scale replicated experiment consisting of three sets of two patches each, unconnected or interconnected by 1-m or 5-m wide-corridors, established in an old-field community (S.W. Ohio). Control (0-m) treatments supported significantly lower vole densities than either corridor treatment. Females were the dominant resident sex establishing smaller home ranges (〈150m2) than males (〉450m2). Significantly more male voles dispersed between patches with corridors than between patches without corridors. However, no difference was observed regarding the number of male voles dispersing between patches connected by corridors when compared to the number dispersing across treatments. Dispersal between connected patches was restricted to corridors based on tracking tube data. Corridor presence was more important than corridor width regarding the movement of male voles within their home range.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00129865
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