Grazing’s effect on occupancy of rodent species on mosaic area as a disturbing factor
Abstract
We were studying the effects of grazing in the habitat of three dominant rodent species (Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus flavicollis and Microtus arvalis) near Lake Mattyi. We were looking for the answer how grazing affects the dynamism of occupancy of three species on the area where disturbance took place as well as on not disturbed microhabitats located next to them. In the case of the three species the dynamic of occupancy was different in habitats with distinct structure of vegetation. The effect of grazing appeared in the occupancy of both three species. The Apodemus agrarius locally disappeared from the two sample areas disturbed by grazing just like the value of the occupancy of Apodemus flavicollis and Microtus arvalis decreased. The results of „two-species occupancy” model were different in case of each area. We got higher occupancy values by Microtus arvalis on open areas. In the case of Apodemus the values were higher due to the higher vegetation density. Our results showed that the intensive grazing caused large vegetational disturbance and degradation which can no longer guarantee the optimal conditions for the survive of the small mammals and can lead their local extinction.
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