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Effect of weed control methods in fruit growing on small mammals
Project
Project code: JKI-GF-08-1152
Contract period: 01.06.2012
- 31.12.2017
Purpose of research: Applied research
In this project the effect of weed control through chemical, thermal and mechanical methods in fruit growing on small mammals, especially rodents will be studied in field trials. The implications on dynamics, demography and behaviour of relevant small mammal species will be considered. This will allow for assessing the impact of weed control on small mammals to identify the most benign options. The results of this project can contribute to minimising potential unwanted effects on non-target species.
The studies demonstrates that the effect of population reduction in March is much more sustainable than in July. However, populations recover within 3 months leading to population density similar to untreated control plots. The genetic composition of common vole popualtions is generally homegenous indicating genetic exchange among populations indicating frequent immigration during recovery after population collapse. Similar patterns of population recovery were identified in other small mammal species. In addition, hair traps were successfully tested for monitoring small mammals as a non-invasive method as an alternative to Standard trapping procedures.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Protection
- Arboriculture
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests (JKI-GF)