Small mammal species diversity and abundance in Žagarė Regional Park

The trapping of small mammals in eight natural or semi-natural habitats in 2008–2010 yielded 13 species, three of which (root vole, pygmy field mouse and northern birch mouse) were registered in the territory of the Žagarė Regional Park for the first time. Striped field mouse dominated in natural meadows (32.9% of all trapped individuals), yellow-necked mouse in re-growing clearcuts, shrubby meadows and abandoned farmsteads (18.2%, 32% and 67.5%, respectively), and bank vole in forest meadows, forest wetlands, planted young forests and mixed forests (30.7%, 43.9%, 51.1% and 60.5%, respectively). The diversity of small mammals was significantly lower in forest habitats (compared by diversity ordering using Rényi index family) than in open areas. Compared to investigation done in 1975, species numbers and diversity in 2008–2010 were significantly higher (10 vs. 13 species, and Shannon’s H = 1.67 vs. 2.59, respectively), while relative abundance was lower (25.4 ± 2.12 vs. 56.1 ± 8.03 individuals per 100 trap/nights).