A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
SMALL CARNIVORES AND PREY POPULATION-DYNAMICS IN SUMMER
Authors: NORRDAHL K, KORPIMAKI E
Publisher: FINNISH ZOOLOGICAL BOTANICAL PUBLISHING BOARD
Publication year: 1995
Journal: Annales Zoologici Fennici
Journal name in source: ANNALES ZOOLOGICI FENNICI
Journal acronym: ANN ZOOL FENN
Volume: 32
Issue: 1
First page : 163
Last page: 169
Number of pages: 7
ISSN: 0003-455X
Abstract
We studied interactions between small carnivore abundance in spring and prey population dynamics in the following summer in 10 agricultural areas during 1989-92 in western Finland. We estimated small carnivore and prey abundances on snow track lines in March and November and by snap-trapping small rodents in April and August. Only in least weasels (Mustela n. nivalis), we found a negative association of predator density with prey population dynamics. However, this relationship was only evident in large scale, probably because of high mobility of least weasels. This underlines the importance of proper spatial and temporal scale in small carnivore studies.
We studied interactions between small carnivore abundance in spring and prey population dynamics in the following summer in 10 agricultural areas during 1989-92 in western Finland. We estimated small carnivore and prey abundances on snow track lines in March and November and by snap-trapping small rodents in April and August. Only in least weasels (Mustela n. nivalis), we found a negative association of predator density with prey population dynamics. However, this relationship was only evident in large scale, probably because of high mobility of least weasels. This underlines the importance of proper spatial and temporal scale in small carnivore studies.
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