Beech-mast crop evaluation in Kněhyně forest complex (Beskydy Mts. Czech Republic) as a food supply for granivorous rodents

Abstract

Good beech-mast crop is important not only for beech forest regeneration but it stimulates population abundances of granivorous animals. Abundant beech-mast crop was observed in autumn 2011 in Beskydy Mts. Mean mass of healthy beech-mast on Kněhyně Mts complex was 92 g.m −2 which represents 390 pieces (pc)/m 2 . That was why diet supply for granivorous forest rodents, in means of current biomass of beech-mast, was ascertained in 5 beech stands. At each locality, beech stands were chosen to represent Kněhyně Mt. beech forests and differ in age structure and the elevation. Biomass of beech-mast crop collected from the lowest elevation (5 th vegetation tier) was higher (as to number of beechnuts/m 2 ) and heavier (g/m 2 ) compared to the highest elevation one (8 th vegetation tier). The beech forests from the lower altitude may have a better condition for the beech seeds production. As the granivorous species are peeling the beechnuts, so the peeled diet supply of beech-mast was also stated. This should be considered if calculating diet consumption of particular rodent species.