The rodent (Rodentia) fauna as an indicators of revitalisation of degraded areas

Abstract

The studies were conducted on three post-industrial sites at different stages of the reclamation process. The species composition of the burrowing rodents was determined by the use of transect trapping. Four species were found, with the common vole (Microtus arvalis) and the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) occurring as the dominant species. The highest densities of rodents, densities of their burrows and the greatest corridor lengths, were found at sites where spontaneous-type succession occurred. Rodents have therefore been recognised as suitable indicators to determine the degree of revitalisation of degraded areas.