Rodent population dynamics in a primeval deciduous forest (Białowieża National Park) in relation to weather, seed crop, and predation

Abstract

Population dynamics of forest rodents, bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus (Schreber, 1780) and yellow-necked mice Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) were studied in 1959-1991 in the pristine mature forest dominated by hornbeam Carpinus betulus and oak Quercus robur in Białowieża National Park (eastern Poland). The whole 33-year series, and particularly the detailed data from 1971-1991, were related to weather data and seed crop of hornbeam, oak, and maple Acer platanoides.