DISTRIBUTION OF RODENTS AND THEIR PREDATORS IN TRANSITIONAL MIXED WOODLAND IN RELATION TO EXPOSURE OF TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION IN NORTHERN BELARUS

Abstract

Distribution of rodents and their predators in transitional coniferous - small-leaved woodlands of northern Belarus was studied in connection with forest fragmentation- and hilly relief-conditioned differences in terrestrial vegetation exposure. Snap-trapping was used to estimate rodent numbers, while activity of their predators was studied by snowtracking. The index of herbal vegetation abundance and density of masting bushes (indicating food supply for rodents) were checked on each plot, where numbers of rodents and hunting activity of their predators were controlled. In spruce-dominated forests on clay soil, a higher abundance of rodents and more frequent visits of rodent predators were recorded on hill slopes from the southern side, while such a distribution pattern was not attributable to the woodland on sandy deposits. A higher abundance of rodents and more frequent visits of their predators were found in more exposed grassy openings interspersed with woodlands both on clay soil and on sandy deposits.