Abstract
Simple SummaryFor the first time in the Baltic countries, small mammal communities were evaluated in commercial orchards and berry plantations to test for the influence of crop type and intensity of agricultural practices. Out of ten species registered in the fruit farms, the most dominant were common vole and striped field mouse, confirming the spread of the latter species in the country. Small mammal diversity and abundance were not dependent on crop type but decreased in line with the intensity of agricultural practices, not being found in the most intensively cultivated farms. Unexpectedly, small mammal diversity in apple orchards exceeded the diversities found in most types of forests and was significantly higher than in crop fields.Small mammals are not only pests but also an important part of agricultural ecosystems. The common vole is a reference species for risk assessment of plant protection products in the European Union, but no data about the suitability of the species in the Baltic countries are present so far. Using the snap-trap line method, we evaluated species composition, abundance, and diversity of small mammal communities in commercial orchards and berry plantations in Lithuania, testing the predictions that (i) compared with other habitats, small mammal diversity in fruit farms is low, and (ii) the common vole is the dominant species. The diversity of small mammals was compared with control habitats and the results of investigations in other habitats. Out of ten small mammal species registered, the most dominant were common vole and striped field mouse. Small mammal diversity and abundance increased in autumn and decreased in line with the intensity of agricultural practices but were not dependent on crop type. In the most intensively cultivated fruit farms, small mammals were not found. The diversity of small mammal communities in fruit farms was significantly higher than in crop fields and exceeded the diversities found in most types of forests except those in rapid succession.
Highlights
In 2017, there were 25,980 ha of commercial fruit farms in Lithuania, which yielded 99,215 tons of production [1]
Comparing the summer and autumn seasons, we evaluated if the species composition, abundance, and diversity of small mammal communities are influenced by crop type and the intensity of agricultural practices used
Control habitats were characterized by nine species, with pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) not trapped, and these were dominated by A. agrarius (36.8%), M. arvalis (18.7%), A. flavicollis, and bank vole (Myodes glareolus)
Summary
In 2017, there were 25,980 ha of commercial fruit farms in Lithuania (including 9851 ha of berry plantations), which yielded 99,215 tons of production [1]. Being a part of the food web and providing ecosystem functions in agricultural ecosystems [2], small mammals are pests of many crops [3,4]. Their negative impact is not limited to crop damage [5] and includes their role in the dispersal of weed seeds and being a reservoir for various. Monetary losses from the detrimental activities of rodents on crops may reach billions of US dollars worldwide [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
