Microhabitat Use by Small Mammals in Farmstead Shelterbelts

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Abstract
Use of microhabitat by 5 spp. of small mammals in farmstead shelterbelts was studied in summer and autumn during a 3-yr period. Peromyscus leucopus typically was captured at trap stations characterized by dense woody understory, low densities of forbs and large overstory trees. Clethrionomys gapperi generally was trapped at stations with dense woody understory, low densities of forbs, but small overstory trees. Microtus pennsylvanicus occupied open areas of shelterbelts away from woody vegetation. Intermediate values of woody understory, overstory trees and percentage of canopy cover were common to sites used by Sorex cinereus and Blarina brevicauda. Percentage of canopy cover at trap stations best segregated between microhabitat use of P. leucopus and M. pennsylvanicus. Use of microhabitats by the 5 common species in these man-made habitats is both a function of foraging and predator-avoidance behaviors and is similar to that reported in studies conducted in natural habitats.