Agrology (Nov 2022)
The spatial structure of small mammals (Eulipotyphla, Rodentia) in ecological and conventional farming conditions
Abstract
Ecological farming is more environmental friendly than conventional farming and promotes habitat heterogenity. Changes in dispersion and structures of small mammals reflected quality of habitats in agriculture landscape. The aim of our research was noting the dispersion of species of small mammals in the ecological and conventional farming conditions and also the changes in somatometry. Between 2019 to 2021, we caught 125 individuals belonging to 5 species in ecological farming (Pisum sativum, grass mixture, Triticum aestivum) and conventional farming conditions (Brassica napus, Hordeum vulgare, Zea mays) using the pitfall trap method. The dispersion of species was the highest in crops in conventional farming. We recorded the largest individuals of the Microtus arvalis species in Brassica napus and Zea mays crops, which indicates suitable food and habitat conditions for this species. On the contrary, we found the shortest body length of individuals in the crops grass mixture and Hordeum vulgare, where they had less suitable conditions. On the basis our results, both types of farming can be evaluated as homeostatical, which affects the dispersion and abundance of species of small mammals.
