THE INFLUENCE OF LANDSCAPE SPATIAL STRUCTURE ON SMALL MAMMAL MOVEMENTS

The present knowledge of the range of small mammal (field mice Apodemu s agrarius (Pallas, 1771) and bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus (Schre ber, 1780)) movements is discussed and data concerning long distance m ovements obtained by the authors are presented. Small mammals appeared to be much more mobile than it is commonly believed. Spatial distribu tion of movements is not random and some routes of movements can be re cognized. Such routes are covered mainly by ruderal vegetation and den se bushes. Considerable mobility of small mammals found in the present ed studies encourages to think over the present views on organization and regulation of populations.