Small mammal diversity in agroforestry area and other plantations of Doi Tung Development Project, Thailand

Abstract

Agroforestry systems are designed to maintain biodiversity between natural forests and agricultural areas. This strategy has the potential to maximize biodiversity and habitat for wildlife. This research studies the relationships between small mammal diversity and agroforestry area in Doi Tung Development Project (DTDP), Thailand as a model for wildlife diversity in an agroforestry area. Live traps were set up in 2010 in: Agroforestry area, coffee (Coffea arabica L.) under Khasia pine (Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon) plantation (CK). Monoculture fruit orchard, macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche plantation (MP). Forest plantation, khasia pine plantation mixed with native species (KN). With a total number of 3,888 trap nights, 114 small mammals were trapped. Five genus of family Muridae, such as Rattus, Maxomys, Niviventer, Berylmys and Mus and another two species, Hylomys suiilus Erinaceidae and Tupaia belangeri Tupaiidae were found in the study areas. The number of animals was highest in KN. The diversity index was highest in MP (H′ = 1.1). Genus Rattus was the most common in all study areas (87.7%). The degree of relationship between small mammal species and tree compositions in agroforestry areas was highest in KN which can provide better habitat for small mammals than CK and MP. The habitat patterns, especially tree species diversity, tree compositions (size classes), canopy layers, percentage tree canopy covers and food availability are important for assemblages of small mammals in the agroforestry areas.