Slope Gradient Effect on Microhabitat and Small Rodents in a Tree Thinned Japanese Larch Plantation

Abstract

Slope gradient affects the development of vegetation. Because vegetation serves as food and shelter for wildlife, information about the effect of slope gradient on vegetation is important for managing wildlife and their habitats. We examined the effects of slope gradient on small rodent populations and their microhabitat conditions from May to November 2015 in a tree-thinned Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) plantation in South Korea. Study animals were captured using Sherman live traps. We surveyed slope gradient and microhabitat conditions at multiple trapping points. We focused on two rodent species for statistical analysis, the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) and the Korean field mouse (A. peninsulae). A. agrarius preferred microhabitat with dense ground vegetation, whereas A. peninsulae preferred understory vegetation. Ground vegetation was reduced as slope gradient increased, but understory vegetation was not affected by slope gradient. The results highlight that the A. agrarius population was influenced indirectly by the negative effect of slope gradient on ground vegetation because ground vegetation serves as food and shelter for A. agrarius. Thus, slope gradient had a negative effect on A. agrarius, but not on A. peninsulae. This study suggests that habitat management, especially in treethinned habitats where ground vegetation develops explosively, should be accomplished by considering slope gradient for both creating suitable microhabitats for small rodents and encouraging biodiversity. © 2022 University of Punjab (new Campus). All rights reserved.