Effects of urbanization on small-mammal communities and the population structure of synurbic species: an example of a medium-sized city

• Published in: Canadian journal of zoology Vol. 91; no. 8; pp. 554 - 561
• Main Authors: ŁOPUCKI, Rafał, MROZ, Iwona, BERLINSKI, Łukasz, BURZYCH, Marzena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa NRC Research Press 01.08.2013; National Research Council of Canada; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Analysis; Animal and plant ecology; Animal behavior; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Apodemus; Apodemus agrarius; Biodiversity; biodiversité; Biological and medical sciences; Environmental aspects; espèce synurbaine; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Habitat preferences; Habitats; Life history; Mammals; Observations; petits mammifères; Population declines; Population structure; Rodentia; Rodents; small mammals; Species diversity; Species richness; Synecology; synurbic species; Terrestrial ecosystems; Urban areas; Urban environments; Urban sprawl; urbanisation; Urbanization; Poland; Europe; Species diversity; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Animal community; Rodentia; Urbanization; Population structure; Urban area; Anthropogenic factor; Micromammals
• ISSN: 1480-3283; 0008-4301; 1480-3283; 0008-4301
• DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2012-0168

Theories concerning the impact of urbanization on ground-dwelling mammals are mainly based on large-city studies. We investigated whether the negative effects of urbanization are evident in smaller urban areas, where green areas are usually less isolated from their natural surroundings. Livetrapping of small mammals (Rodentia and Soricomorpha) was conducted between 2007 and 2010 in 15 patches within the city of Lublin (Poland) (147.5 km², population 354 000) and 15 patches in its agricultural surroundings. A decline in species richness and diversity along an urbanization gradient and an increase in the abundance of species best adapted to the city environment (synurbic species) were observed. The main factors influencing ground-dwelling mammals was isolation of green patches, while the management type of green areas had no significant effect. The genus Apodemus Kaup, 1829, particularly the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius (Pallas, 1771)), was the most urban biased. Within the city, A. agrarius alters its habitat preferences and life-history parameters (body mass, seasonal fluctuations, winter survival). Understanding the factors influencing ground-dwelling mammals in medium-sized cities will enable measures to be implemented that could reduce the negative effects of urbanization during urban expansion.