Difference in small mammal and forest structures between primary and secondary forest subjected to two different post-fire management practices in the Phou Khao Khauy National Protected Area, Lao PDR — Promaco Conventions

Difference in small mammal and forest structures between primary and secondary forest subjected to two different post-fire management practices in the Phou Khao Khauy National Protected Area, Lao PDR (#753)

Bounthan Sounyvong 1 , Jong-U KIM 2 , Junsoo Kim 2 , Jonghoon Jeon 2 , Woo-Shin LEE 2 , Eunjae Lee 3
  1. Department of Forest Resource Management, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, Lao PDR
  2. Seoul National University, Seoul, SEOUL, South Korea
  3. Urban Planning Research Group, Daejeon Sejong Research Institute, Daejeon, South Korea

This study was conducted to clarify  differences between small mammal community and habitat structure. Small mammals were captured ten consecutive nights from nine study plots in each of the three different stands in Phou Khao Khauy National Protected Area, Lao PDR. We used a capture-mark and release, using live-trapping method. In addition, the data collected for nine factors were related to the forest structure of the study plots. Five species and 456 individuals of small mammals were captured in the rainy season and the dry season. Total number of individuals captured from the natural forest stand area was the highest. The number of individuals captured from the post-burned rubber plantation stand was the lowest. This result showed that the post-burned rubber plantation stand can have negatives effect on habitat condition for small mammal communities. The home range size of the individuals captured in the nature forest stand was smaller than that in the post-burned rice field stands. The home range size of individuals captured in the post-burned rubber plantation stand was the smallest. The home range size was larger in the rainy season and smaller in the dry season. It showed that in the dry season, food quantity and quality are suitable than in rainy season. In the forest, variables were significant in relationships between the numbers of small mammal individuals. This result showed that forest composition has an influence on small mammal communities and variations in small mammal species require different forest values for communities.

 

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