More info for the terms:
association,
competition,
cover,
density,
forbs,
grassland,
herb,
litter,
marsh,
presence,
restoration,
selection,
shrub,
succession,
swamp,
treeOptimal meadow vole habitat consists of moist, dense grassland with
substantial amounts of plant litter. Habitat selection is largely
influenced by relative ground cover of grasses and forbs; soil
temperature, moisture, sodium, potassium, and pH levels; humidity; and
interspecific competition [
17,
50]. Meadow voles are most commonly
associated with sites having high soil moisture [
46]. They are often
restricted to the wetter microsites when they occur in sympatry with
prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) or montane voles [
17]. In an Iowa
prairie restoration project, meadow voles experienced an initial
population increase during the initial stage of vegetation succession
(old field dominated by foxtail grass [Setaria spp.], red clover
[Trifolium pratense], annual ragweed [Ambrosia artemisiifolia], alfalfa
[Medicago sativa], and thistles [Cirsium spp.]). However, meadow vole
populations reached their peak abundance during the perennial grass
stage of succession from old field to tallgrass prairie [
53]. Geier and
Best [
22] found meadow voles in habitat devoid of tree cover in which
grasses dominated the herb layer. They listed the meadow vole as a
species with low tolerance for habitat variation (i. e., a species that
is intolerant of variations in habitat, is restricted to few habitats,
and/or uses habitats less evenly than tolerant species) [
22].
In most areas meadow voles clearly prefer habitat with dense vegetation.
In tallgrass prairie at Pipestone National Monument, meadow voles were
positively associated with dense vegetation and litter [
57]. Conley and
others [
11] reported that variables important to meadow vole habitat in
Virginia include vegetative cover reaching a height of 8 to 16 inches
(20-41 cm) and presence of litter. Meadow voles appeared to be randomly
distributed within a grassland habitat in southern Quebec [
26]. Grant
and Morris [
26] were not able to establish any association of meadow
vole abundance with particular plant species. They were also unable to
distinguish between food and cover as the determining factor in meadow
vole association with dense vegetation.
In eastern Massachusetts meadow vole density on a mosaic of grassy
fields and mixed woods was positively correlated with decreasing
vertical woody stem density and decreasing shrub cover. Meadow vole
density was highest on plots with more forbs and grasses and less woody
cover; meadow voles preferred woody cover over sparse vegetation where
grassy cover was not available [
1].
In West Virginia the only forested habitats in which meadow voles were
captured were seedling stands [
9]. In South Dakota meadow voles prefer
grasslands to Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) woodlands
[
55]. In New Mexico meadow voles were captured in stands of grasses,
wild rose (Rosa spp.), prickly-pear (Opuntia spp.), and various forbs;
meadow voles were also captured in wet areas with tall marsh grasses
[
18].
Open habitat with a thick mat of perennial grass favors voles [
39]. In
west-central Illinois meadow voles were the most common small mammals on
Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)-dominated and switchgrass (Panicum
virginicus)-dominated study plots. They were present in very low
numbers on orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata)-dominated plots. The most
stable population of meadow voles occurred on unburned big bluestem
(Andropogon gerardii)-dominated plots [
42]. In Ontario meadow voles and
white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) occur together in ecotones.
Meadow voles were the most common small mammals in oak savanna/tallgrass
prairie dominated by northern pin oak (Quercus palustris) and grasses
including bluejoint reedgrass (Calamagrostis canadensis), prairie
cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), big bluestem, switchgrass, and Indian
grass.
Effect of Habitat Alteration: In Michigan strip clearcuts in a conifer
swamp resulted in an increase in the relative abundance of meadow voles.
Meadow voles were most abundant in clearcut strip interiors and least
abundant in uncut strip interiors. Slash burning did not appear to
affect meadow vole numbers about 1.5 years after treatment [
64].
Dispersal Distance: In Pennsylvania three subadult meadow voles were
captured at least 1.6 miles (2.6 km) from the nearest appreciable
suitable meadow vole habitat, suggesting that meadow voles are adapted
to long-distance dispersal [
34].
Habitat Patch Shape: In Ohio the effects of patch shape and proportion
of edge were investigated by mowing strips between study plots. The
square plots were 132 feet per side (40 m x 40 m), and the rectangular
patches were 52.8 feet by 330 feet (16 m x 100 m). Square habitat
patches were not significantly different than rectangular patches in
meadow vole density. There were no apparent edge effects in patches of
this size, suggesting that meadow voles are edge-tolerant. Habitat
patch shape did affect dispersal and space use behaviors. In
rectangular patches home ranges were similar in size to those in square
patches, but were elongated [
29].
Home Range: Meadow voles tend to remain in home ranges and defend at
least a portion of the home range from conspecifics. Home ranges
overlap and have irregular shapes [
31]. Meadow vole home range size
depends on season, habitat, and population density: ranges are larger
in summer than winter, ranges in marshes are larger than ranges in
meadows, and ranges are smaller at higher population densities [
48].
Home ranges vary in size from 0.08 to 2.3 acres (0.32-0.9 ha). Females
have smaller home ranges than males, but are more highly territorial
than males; there is often a period when juveniles from one litter are
still present in the adult female's home range when the next litter is
borne [
4,
31]. Female territoriality tends to determine density in
suboptimal habitats; the amount of available forage has been suggested
as the determining factor in female territory size and therefore also
determines reproductive success [
32].