Use of Woody Debris by Cotton Mice (Peromyscus Gossypinus) in a Southeastern Pine Forest

The role of the wood mouse in Quercus serrata acorn dispersal in abandoned cut-over land

“…The biased transportation of acorns to shrubs probably reflects habitat use by the wood mice, which prefer dense understory that serves as a refuge from predators (Jordano and Godoy, 2002). Also, fallen trees or branches, stumps, and soil with overhang are probably important nesting and resting sites and shelters for wood mice (e.g., Imaizumi, 1979;McCay, 2000). This suggests that logs and stumps left after clear-cutting can attract wood mice, and thus facilitate acorn dispersal into cut-over land.…”

Indirect negative influence of dwarf bamboo on survival of Quercus acorn by hoarding behavior of wood mice

“…Hiding places for wood mice on the forest floor at the Sasa-removed site during the experiment were few, because the experimental period fell mostly during the defoliation season, and all floor plants except Sasa had shed their leaves. Wood debris on the forest floor is an important habitat for small mammals (Loeb, 1999;Menzel et al, 1999;McCay, 2000). Apodemus species tend to store seeds under fallen logs, tree roots, between stones and roots, and the like; moreover, they tend to avoid staying in the open areas (Imaizumi, 1979).…”

Demographic responses of shrews to removal of coarse woody debris in a managed pine forest

“…Lee (1995) found reproduction of S. monticolus and S. trowbridgii to decrease after removal of dead wood. Coarse woody debris is often associated with sites, such as dens and roosts, used for reproduction by wild rodents (McCay, 2000) and bats (Menzel et al, 2001) in similar habitats.…”

“…We did not consider decomposing root systems, which are important to other small mammals in this environment (McCay, 2000). Similarly, we did not consider small (<10 cm) logs.…”