Dispersal routes of small mammals at an abandoned field in central Sweden

Small mammals dispersing in habitat corridors to and from an abandoned field in south‐central Sweden, at the forest edge and inside the forest, were continuously sampled during 1977–81. Altogether 967 specimens of ten species were obtained. Number and dynamics of grassland species were censused intensively in the centre of the abandoned field and extensively on other abandoned fields nearby. Numbers of resident and dispersing animals correlated positively. Grassland field voles Microtus agrestis were almost only obtained in the corridors and woodland bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus mainly in the forest and in narrow grassland corridors. Both these species are folivorous. Granivorous‐insectivorous Apodemus and Sorex species moved more on a broad front through various habitats. Different population categories did not show any elear differences in dispersal routes. The findings of different dispersal strategies in a species gradient are discussed in relation to the local dynamics of subpopulations belonging to metapopulations inhabiting whole landscapes. Implications for pest management and conservation of endangered species are considered.