Vole population dynamics during the succession of a commercial forest in northern Finland

Voles are the main prey item for many mammalian and avian predators. Changes in vole abundance affect predator density directly and influence small game species indirectly. To test the hypothesis that intensive management of boreal forests increases vole population density, we surveyed small mammals twice a year 2006--2010 in forests representing four succession stages in Taivalkoski, northern Finland. We focused on the bank vole (Myodes glareolus) and the field vole (Microtus agrestis) and found that bank voles were more numerous at all stages of succession while densities of both species were lowest in young (24--30yr) forest stands. We also observed that field voles increased after clear-cutting. Based on this study, current forestry practice in Finland has a clear impact on the abundance of these voles.