Competitive Interactions within a Forest Rodent Community in Central Poland

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Abstract
Competitive interactions among 3 common rodent species (Apodemus flavicollis, A. agrarius and Clethrionomys glareolus) were investigated. To determine how the rodent community affects the population of A. agrarius, a field experiment was performed consisting of the removal of C. glareolus and A. flavicollis from an experimental plot, leaving only A. agrarius. The dynamics of this experimental population was compared to that of the species living as part of the whole community on a control plot. On the control plot the density of A. agrarius and the size of the area available to them were strongly limited by the other species; also the rate of mortality (or emigration) of A. agrarius was much higher than that of the 2 other species. Comparison of population parameters for A. agrarius on the control and the experimental plot revealed differences in the survival of offspring, in the mortality (or emigration) of older individuals and in reproduction. The hypothesis was advanced that the negative interactions within the community are caused by competition for food, especially in the midsummer period.