Environmental variation and habitat separation among small mammals

Authors

W.L. Vickery
S.L. Iverson
S. Mihok
B. Schwartz

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Canadian Journal of Zoology

Volume

67

Issue

1

First Page

8

Last Page

13

Publication Date

1989

Abstract

Habitat use and population density of five species of forest small mammals were monitored by annual spring snap-trap censuses at Pinawa, Manitoba, over 14 years. Population sizes were positively correlated among species and showed no evidence of density-dependent effects. Species were habitat selectors. Habitat use by species did not vary among years. Habitat separation between the dominant species was not correlated with environmental variables or with population size. We suggest that habitat selection and positive covariance among species abundances are the principal factors characterizing the dynamics of this community.

Recommended Citation

Vickery, W. L. et al. 1989. Environmental variation and habitat separation among small mammals. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 67 (1): 8-13.