Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) in farm landscapes, I. Population parameters in different habitats

Two microlandscapes were constructed for use in a Live trapping study, designed to investigate how meadow vole populations are affected by habitat. Each microlandscape (105 x 35 m) consisted of barley and forage crops (white clover, alfalfa, Canada bluegrass and Kentucy bluegrass), separated by a center plot of undisturbed meadow. Differences in population parameters among habitats were used as indices of habitat suitability. Population parameters were found to differ among habitats; population density, population growth rate, and recruitment showed the greatest variations. Meadow was the highest quality habitat, forage crop was second highest in quality and barley was a low quality habitat. With intensive farming practices, an undisturbed meadow habitat is often rare and highly fragmented. Although forage crops may be common, these habitats are harvested, and are thus only suitable as vole habitats in early summer and late autumn. Persistence of vole populations in farm landscapes hinges on voles not being prevented from disperse among suitable habitats by agricultural crops and tilling practices.