Responses of Arvicola terrestris scherman populations to agricultural practices, and to Talpa europaea abundance in eastern France

• Published in: Agriculture, ecosystems & environment ecosystems & environment, 2007-11, Vol.122 (3), p.392-398
• Main Authors: Morilhat, Céline, Bernard, Nadine, Bournais, Corentin, Meyer, Caroline, Lamboley, Céline, Giraudoux, Patrick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Arvicola terrestris; Biodiversity and Ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Environmental Sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agroecology; General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development; Grassland management; Landscape ecology; Population outbreaks; Talpa europaea
• ISSN: 0167-8809; 1873-2305; 0167-8809
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2007.02.005

The impact of farming practices (fertilization, mowing, grazing, ploughing, etc.) on Arvicola terrestris scherman population dynamics was investigated using index methods during the increase and the high density phase of a population cycle taking into account Talpa europaea population abundance. Farming practices significantly impacted A. terrestris populations. More intensive production indicators such as organic fertilisation and mowing correlated with the early growth of vole population. In contrast, disturbances such as grazing and soil cultivation correlated with lower vole population abundance during the high density phase. Furthermore, this study indicates that A. terrestris population dynamics patterns was governed by multifactorial processes. The way those results may help to rethink population outbreak control through farming practices complementary to other methods is discussed.