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As part of a more encompassing biodiversity
study, small mammals were trapped in the Manicouagan
area of Quebec between 16 and 18 August 1999. The objective was to assess the abundance and
distribution of small mammals in relation to edges created by a 95 m
wide right-of-way in the boreal forest. Four transects, each measuring
150 m, were established perpendicular to a transmission powerline
right-of-way. Transects were marked at 15-m intervals from 60 m into the
right-of-way to 90 m into the forest, giving 12 trapping stations for
each transect. At each trapping station, 5 traps (two Museum Special traps,
one Victor trap and two 2 l plastic pitfalls) were arranged
perpendicular to the transect 5 m apart. A total of 333 small mammals,
representing 8 species, were captured on 626 trap-nights. Preliminary results
suggest that northern bog lemming (Synaptomys
borealis), southern bog lemming (Synaptomys
cooperi), heather vole (Phenacomys
intermedius) and masked shrew (Sorex
cinereus) exhibited no significant differences along the opening/forest
gradient. On the other hand, 74 (97 %) of the 76 meadow voles (Microtus
pennsylvanicus) were captured in the
right-of-way and red-backed voles (Clethrionomys
gapperi) were mostly captured in the forest
side of the ecotone. The pygmy shrew (Microsorex hoyi), a relatively rare
species, was also captured in the right-of-way. These results suggest that
wide powerline rights-of-way in the boreal forest may favour an open habitat
specialist and, at the same time, reduce the habitat quality for a forest
species.
Ref#: Abs-1-114
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