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<p>Large herbivores foster direct and indirect cascading effects on ecosystems, being considered key elements for ecological functioning and restoration. Empirical knowledge supporting restoration programs involving large herbivores is still very limited in Mediterranean ecosystems. For instance, few studies have explored how small mammals’ body condition vary across different levels of herbivore pressure. Small mammals are keystone species in the dynamics of Mediterranean habitats due to their role as seed dispersers and prey. In this study, we performed a seasonal and fine-scale experiment in a fenced Mediterranean area in north-eastern Portugal, to assess the population and individual response of small mammals (one rodent, wood mouse <i>Apodemus sylvaticus</i> and one insectivorous, greater white-toothed shrew <i>Crocidura russula</i>) to the effects of herbivores pressure, seasonality, landscape structure, and sex-related differences. Our results showed that the wood mouse was more abundant in the spring, while the shrew was particularly abundant in open areas with higher herbivory pressure, which may be related to a greater abundance of dung-associated arthropods. Body condition of both species improved in spring, while the presence of rocky outcrops also promoted a positive effect on wood mouse body condition. These structures can contribute to thermoregulation and offer refuge from disturbances caused by large herbivores. This study suggests that the coexistence of small mammals and large herbivores is mediated by several factors governed by the complexity of Mediterranean habitats.</p>

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Disentangling the effects of herbivore pressure, seasonality, and landscape structure on the abundance and body condition of mediterranean small mammals

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月7日

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  • Mariana Rossa,
  • Luís M. Rosalino,
  • Sofia Sabino,
  • Antonio J. Carpio,
  • Eduardo Ferreira,
  • Joana Fernandes,
  • Paloma Linck,
  • Jorge F. Henriques,
  • Rita Tinoco Torres,
  • Rui G. Morgado,
  • João Carvalho

摘要

Large herbivores foster direct and indirect cascading effects on ecosystems, being considered key elements for ecological functioning and restoration. Empirical knowledge supporting restoration programs involving large herbivores is still very limited in Mediterranean ecosystems. For instance, few studies have explored how small mammals’ body condition vary across different levels of herbivore pressure. Small mammals are keystone species in the dynamics of Mediterranean habitats due to their role as seed dispersers and prey. In this study, we performed a seasonal and fine-scale experiment in a fenced Mediterranean area in north-eastern Portugal, to assess the population and individual response of small mammals (one rodent, wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus and one insectivorous, greater white-toothed shrew Crocidura russula) to the effects of herbivores pressure, seasonality, landscape structure, and sex-related differences. Our results showed that the wood mouse was more abundant in the spring, while the shrew was particularly abundant in open areas with higher herbivory pressure, which may be related to a greater abundance of dung-associated arthropods. Body condition of both species improved in spring, while the presence of rocky outcrops also promoted a positive effect on wood mouse body condition. These structures can contribute to thermoregulation and offer refuge from disturbances caused by large herbivores. This study suggests that the coexistence of small mammals and large herbivores is mediated by several factors governed by the complexity of Mediterranean habitats.