Population dynamics of small mammal species in urbanized areas

Population dynamics of small mammals was monitored in urbanized forest ecosystems on a long-term basis. Urban rodent communities had higher densities due to a large proportion of hemisynanthropic species of Apodemus (Sylvemus) genus. It was found that small mammals displayed similar population dynamics in the park-forests in the same type of forest, but the pattern broke down in the city. Urban stress proved to have a stronger influence on the structure and population dynamics of small mammals than site conditions. Transformation of lower plant layers disturbs habitat of some species and creates favorable conditions for others. Increasing species richness and thickness of shrub layer make site conditions more favorable for the wood mouse and the field mouse—species that do not normally inhabit coniferous forests.