A device and standard variables to describe microhabitat structure of small mammals based on plant cover

Brazilian Journal of Biology

S. R. Freitas¹  R. Cerqueira¹  M. V. Vieira¹ 

[1] ,Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Departamento de Ecologia Laboratório de VertebradosRio de Janeiro RJ ,Brazil

关键词: habitat;    methods;    neotropics;    small mammals;    techniques;    habitat;    métodos;    neotrópicos;    pequenos mamíferos;    técnicas;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1519-69842002000500008

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Studies quantifying habitat structure generally use several instruments. This paper aims to propose a new and efficient device to characterize microhabitat structure of small mammals. Seven measurements were taken: plant cover, litter cover, rock cover, canopy cover, and vegetative obstruction at three heights. The device is a 0.25 m² square wooden frame (0.50 m x 0.50 m) divided in to 100 open squares by wire mesh. Average time spent to measure each trapping station was six minutes. This new device is efficient, i.e., quick, practical, simple, and reliable. It can be used in any kind of forest. We propose this method as a standard method to describe habitat structure.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
 All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License