Geographic distribution of the field vole (Microtus arvalis) in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The ecological distribution and requirements of the field vole (Microtus arvalis) were studied, using data on its population density in individual districts of the Czech Republic from 1955 to 1990. The field vole was found to be distributed from lowlands to the sub-alpine level, i.e., from 150 to 1600 m above sea-level. It inhabits continuously and reproduces regularly in nine different biotopes of the Czech Republic. Geographic areas of regular overcrowding of field voles correspond with areas of most suitable living conditions. Of climatic conditions the field vole prefers mainly moderately wa1m climatic regions and these are inhabited by 79.52% of its population. The analysis of quantitative requirements of the field vole indicates that there is a correlation between the distribution of this species and medium values of ecological factors. High and extremely high field vole densities are regularly encountered in areas amounting to I 0 057 km2, of which the field biotopes cover 5 072 km2.

Keywords

• field vole
• geographic distribution
• ecology
• czech republic