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Small Mammals in an Urban Area : Habitat Preferences and Urban-Rural Gradient in Nitra City, Slovakia

Klimant P., Klimantová A., Baláž I., Jakab I., Tulis F., Rybanský L., Vadel L., Krumpálová Z.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2017

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Vol. 65, nr 1

144--157

EN

The small mammal species were investigated in the urbanized environment of Nitra city (Slovakia) in a multiscale-approach: at habitat level and at landscape level (urban-rural gradient). Continuous comprehensive rodent samplings from 2012 to 2015 were conducted in ten study sites, classified into three urban zones (landscape level). The total effort comprised 1,250 specimens of 13 species (Microtus arvalis, Apodemus sylvaticus, A. flavicollis, A. uralensis, Clethrionomys (Myodes) glareolus, M. subterraneus, Micromys minutes, Mus spicilegus, M. musculus, Crocidura suaveolens, C. leucodon, Sorex araneus, S. minutus) gathered in 14950 trapxnights. Environmental variables (habitat level) at each site were processed in the Geographical Information System as a proportion of landscape units around the trapping line and by a phytosociological survey. At the habitat level, we found a relationship between the landscape habitat structure and each species of small mammals. Diversity, species richness and relative abundance of small mammals decreased with the density of the built-up area. At landscape level, urban zones had a significant influence on species diversity, richness and relative abundance of small mammal populations. On the other hand, the presence of small mammal species precisely determined the urban zones, where we identified seven indicative species.

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Dead Wood Complexity Shapes the Pattern of the Occurrence of Threatened Saproxylic Beetle Cucujus cinnaberinus

Goczał J., Rossa R.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2017

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Vol. 65, nr 1

158--165

EN

Saproxylic beetles are essential for the proper functioning of forest ecosystems. However, intensive forest management has led to the disappearance of suitable microhabitats of many species associated with dead wood. Cucujus cinnaberinus is an endangered saproxylic beetle which develops under the bark of dead wood. The species usually occurs in protected areas, however, some populations inhabit long-term managed forests in Central Europe. In this study, we analyzed the effect of nine silviculture-related and decay-related factors on the C. cinnaberinus microhabitat selection in managed forests. We found that potential sun exposure, bark thickness, dead wood moisture and the hardness of dead wood have a significant effect on the C. cinnaberinus microhabitat selection. The species prefers sun-exposed dead wood with thicker bark at an intermediate stage of decay with undecomposed xylem, but avoids completely dry pieces. Furthermore, we found no confirmation of a direct connection between dead wood diameter and the occurrence of C. cinnaberinus. We stressed that logging residues or stumps are mostly unsuitable for C. cinnaberinus development.

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Road-side herbaceous vegetation : life history groups and habitat preferences

Sera B.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2010

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Vol. 58, nr 1

69-79

EN

The study examine s the vegetation diversity (235 herbaceous species) in variable road-site types in terms of life history components (life traits) like life form, type of pollination, seed dispersal, spreading ability, life strategy according to Grime's classification, and in terms of habitat preferences using Ellenberg's indicator value (in relation to light, temperature, moisture, nitrogen, soil pH and soil salinity). Plants registered as alien species were evaluated also according to invasive status, level of abundance, introduction mode and land use habitat. Study localities (9 sites) were situated in the Ceskomoravska highlands and the South Bohemian regions (Czech Republic). The plant species were recorded in the bands (width in range of 1.5-3.0 m) along the verge of two types of roads (motorways with median stripes) and secondary roads (II and III classes). In total - road length of about 15 km and the total area of roadside vegetation of about 8 ha were surveyed. The annual/therophyte species with a tendency to seed dispersed by wind, preferring a light and dry habitat, and having the RC (competitiveruderal) life strategy were mainly found along the motorways. It means that road verges along motorways are quite insolated and constitute the dry habitats, probably suitable for ruderal, weedy, non-native, and invasive species. On the contrary, species with a tendency to vegetative reproduction and the C (competitive) strategy occur mainly along the secondary roads. It seems that the secondary roads are alternative habitats for grassland flora. Species occurred on the verges of the secondary roads do not belong to the particular group of the life traits. The salt tolerant species Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl. was found along all types of roads. Almost 24% of all recorded herbaceous species growing in road-sites were alien species.

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Nesting sites of the Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major L. in Poland : analysis of nest cards

Hebda G.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2009

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Vol. 57, nr 1

149-158

EN

Analysis of 531 nest cards (Polish Nest Record Scheme) of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, obtained in the years 1970-2003 is presented here. The data is derived from almost the whole of Poland, except for the Białowieża National Park. From the material processed for the purpose of this study, the Great Spotted Woodpeckers appear to nest in various types of wooded habitats, especially in forests and they are very flexible in their choice of nesting sites, both in terms of age of tree stands and intensity of human penetration. As a rule, woodpeckers breed mostly in holes made in deciduous trees (oak, birch, and alder). More than 95% of nests were excavated in tree trunks, primarily in dead or weakened trees. Woodpeckers excavated their nest in the range of 0.5-19 m above the ground, with more than 75% of them found in the narrower range from 1-7 m. The height of cavity above the ground did not depend on tree species or vegetation type and was also weakly correlated with the height of tree stands. The openings of cavities showed no statistically significant differences in their geographical orientation. Although the information about woodpecker nests, gathered in the Nest Record Scheme does contain certain errors (such as "habitat preferences" of observers), the obtained results provided a better insight into the nesting ecology of this species in Poland.