The association of small mammals with coarse woody debris at log and stand scales

Coarse woody debris is an important structural element in forests. We empirically investigated the relationships between small mammals and coarse woody debris decay stage at two different scales: individual logs and forest stands. There were no significant relationships between small mammals and individual logs of different decay classes. We investigated the stand scale using areas with contrasting management intensities (a reference area and a more intensively managed area). No significant relationships were found between small mammal abundance (any species) and either mean decay class of logs in a stand, or overall abundance of logs. There was evidence of a landscape context effect. Red-backed voles, the most abundant microtine in the region, were significantly related to the abundance of the most decayed logs. This relationship was only significant on the intensively managed landscape, where highly decayed logs were rare.