Record ID No. |
963 |
Author(s) |
Baubet,O., Ducourtieux,C., Royer,P , 2005 |
Affiliation |
Departement de la sante des forets, echelon technique Massif central, Lempdes, 63, France. |
Title |
And if we talked about rodent damage |
Source. Vol.(no):Page |
RenDez-Vous-Techniques. (7): 46-50p. |
Categories |
Mycorrhiza General |
Subjects |
Biological Interaction |
Sub-subjects |
Mammals |
Host |
Plants |
Organism |
Microbes(parasites, bacteria and viruses),water vole (Arvicola terrestris) and okney vole (Microtus arvalis); field vole (Microtus agrestis), bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis |
Country |
France, Europe |
Abstracts |
Rodents are part of forest ecosystems, they play an important role in seed and mycorrhiza dissemination, and soil formation; however, they also can be responsible for damage in forest regeneration plots with consumption of seeds and seedlings, as well as the transmission of parasites, bacteria and viruses. In France, 6 main species are identified in forest damage. They are 2 meadow rodents, water vole (Arvicola terrestris) and okney vole (Microtus arvalis); and 4 forest rodents, field vole (Microtus agrestis), bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis). Abundance is cyclic for the 2 meadow rodents though is less known for the forest rodents. Attacks on natural regeneration have less impact as compared to plantations, which can be destroyed entirely by okney vole, for example. Broadleaved species such as oak and beech are more sensitive during the first 3 years after planting; conifer plantations are attacked less. Damage is more likely to occur during a very cold or snowy period, and, 90% of the time, to occur at root, collar or trunk level, with little damage to branches, buds and leaves. It is advised to assess rodent population before planting: a bare soil is less likely to host rodents as compared to a meadow with grass and brambles; and presence indices can be noted, such as tracks, faeces and burrow holes. In an infested plot, actions to limit damage include planting at the end of winter and favouring predator populations such as weasels, wild cats, birds of prey, foxes and badgers. |