Numbers of Small Mammals in Fields, Stacks, and Ricks in the South Central Chernozem Region

Abstract

Abstract—The results of studies conducted by the sanitary and epidemiological service in the Voronezh oblast from 1959 to 2013 were analyzed. Records of small mammals (SMs) were carried out by snap traps with wire hooks for baiting. Standard bait (black bread pieces flavored with sunflower oil) was used. Traps were placed in lines. The numbers of SMs were calculated as the percentage of animals that fell into 100 traps per day. The data obtained were analyzed using conventional statistical methods, including the method of standard deviations. The results were considered in the territory of two regions: the Oka–Don lowland plain and the Central Russian upland in fields from May to September (the “warm” period) and in stacks and ricks from August to March (the “cold” period). It is shown that the situation in fields in the warm period and that in ricks and stacks in the cold period allow us to judge the future abundance of SMs in these localities. It is assumed that the described trends can be used for short-term prognoses of the abundance of SMs and as substantiation when planning antiepizootic, epidemiological, and phytosanitary measures. One should take into account the degree of synanthropy of certain SM species and their epidemic significance. In addition, for this purpose, it is necessary to carry out seasonal counts of SMs in the analyzed habitats constantly. Despite the reduction in the numbers of stacks and ricks in recent years, data on the numbers of SMs in these habitats are still of particular interest for analysis of the situation.