Abstract
Vegetation parameters determining nest site selection by the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius were studied in a typical habitat where dormice are relatively common in Lithuania, the northern periphery of its distributional range. Dormice preferred nest sites with a better-developed understory, particularly with a good cover of hazel shrubs taller than 4 m and plentiful bird cherry trees, a high diversity of woody plant species in the understory and overstory, and better connectivity of the nest tree with its surroundings. They avoided sites with a high number of mature Norway spruce trees in the canopy and a high density of young trees. In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, three vegetation parameters of the number of shrub species, the cover of hazel shrubs, and the number of Norway spruce trees in the canopy determined over 85% of the index of nestbox use by M. avellanarius. The number of shrub species in the surroundings of the nest site had the highest impact of all. Nest sites used by dormice for breeding were distinguished by a better-developed understory, particularly by a significantly higher number of bird cherry trees and a lower number of Norway spruce trees in the canopy, as well as a higher diversity of plants in the understory and overstory. Selection of nest sites by M. avellanarius is a combination of safety from predators and the presence of food. A well-developed inter-connected understory ensures the safety of nest sites from predators, and the diversity of understory and overstory species guarantees continuity of the food supply in the vicinity of nest sites.
Highlights
Vegetation parameters determining nest site selection by the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius were studied in a typical habitat where dormice are relatively common in Lithuania, the northern periphery of its distributional range
To compare characteristics of nest sites used by M. avellanarius for breeding and not used for breeding, categories 4 and 5, and 1 to 3 were pooled and Student’s t test was applied
Among the 50 nest sites selected for evaluation of vegetation parameters, 3, 26, and 21 nestboxes were in the respective categories
Summary
Vegetation parameters determining nest site selection by the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius were studied in a typical habitat where dormice are relatively common in Lithuania, the northern periphery of its distributional range. When selecting a nest site, animals have to find the best compromise between the risk of encountering predation, the availability of food nearby the nest, and microclimatic requirements (Cudworth and Koprowski 2011; Rosalino et al 2011). Knowledge of habitat characteristics important to nest placement is critical for managing species of conservation concern (Bright and Morris 1990; Cudworth and Koprowski 2011; Skórka et al 2011; Atiénzar et al 2012). In Lithuania, which is situated on the northern periphery of the species’ distributional range, M. avellanarius is widespread and relatively common (Juškaitis 2007a, 2008)
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