Relations of small mammals to forest management in northern Maine

Abstract

Fourteen different forest types, grouped as early successional stages, mature conifer, and mature mixed or hardwood, were studied. Ten species of mammals were collected. Relative abundance, species richness, diversity, and evenness for each habitat and niche breadth for individual species were calculated. Unsprayed spruce-fir stands in which all canopy trees had been killed by spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana and abundant, rich and diverse small mammal communities. Spruce-fir stands with low budworm infestation had abundant but low diversity communities, whether sites had been sprayed with insecticide or not. Clearcut sites sprayed with herbicide or burned 1-4 yr previously had low abundance but retained moderate diversity and richness. Peromyscus maniculatus (deer mouse) dominated a 5-yr-old burn. Microtus chrotorrhinus (rock vole) was found in 2 habitats previously considerd atypical for this species in Maine. -Author