An irruption of deer mice after logging of coastal coniferous forest

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Abstract
This study describes an irruption of Peromyscusmaniculatus after clear-cut logging of a coastal forest. The abundance of deer mice increased seven to eight times above previous levels in an old field habitat adjacent to the clear cut. This outbreak occurred during and after a logging operation in the fall of 1973. Several alternative explanations for this irruption include increased reproduction or reduced mortality in the deer mouse population, immigration of mice from the surrounding undisturbed forest, or immigration of animals from the clear-cut area. We conclude that removal of timber has the capacity to trigger an irruption of deer mice.