Long-term monitoring of small mammals in Doñana 2011-2021

Study Extent

The study area is located in southwest Spain in the Guadalquivir Basin and cover the Natural Area of Doñana (Natural Park with 538,35 km2 and National Park with 542,51 km2). The climate is Mediterranean sub-humid with Atlantic coast influence: wet mild winters and dry warm summers. The rainy period occurs between October and April, with a peak in December–January (yearly average precipitation is about 550 mm). Four main ecosystems are described in the area: the marsh, mobile dunes, Mediterranean shrubland with pine forests and a long beach of 30 kms.

Sampling

The monitoring of the small-mammal community in Doñana Natural Area was initiated in 2011. The aim was to obtain a temporal and continuous series of data in the abundance, density and distribution of white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula), black rat (Rattus rattus), garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus), algerian mouse (Mus spretus) and wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) for population trend analyses. To record the abundance, density and distribution of small-mammals in Doñana Natural Area, a protocol of capture-mark and recapture monitoring of individuals is applied using Sherman’s live-traps (https://www.semice.org/es/el-proyecto/; Flowerdew et al. 2004, Torre el al., 2018). Seven localities of Doñana (MANECORRO, MATASGORDAS, MEDIANA, MORO, LORO, LTER AND SABINAR) of different mediterranean habitats (grassland, shrubland, pine forest, juniper woodlands and oak forest) have been sampled twice per year (between May-Dec) since 2011. Each locality has been divided in plots and subplots respectively: MANECORRO3 (A, B, C, D), MATASGORDAS3 (B, C, D), MEDIANA2 (B, C, D), MEDIANA3 (A, C, D), MORO1 (B, D), MORO2 (A, C), LORO1 (A, B, D), LORO2 (A, B, C), LORO4 (B, C, D), LORO6 (A, C, D), LTER1 (A), LTER2 (A), SABINAR1 (A), SABINAR2 (A) and SABINAR3 (A). In each subplot has been placed between 36 traps spaced 15 meters apart covering an area of 0.56 ha. The study is divided in two periods (2011-2016 and 2017-2021) with different sampling effort and different treatments applied in the study plots, since the study belong two different projects (ICTS-RBD 2011-2021, ADAPTAMED 2017-2021). LORO1 and LORO2 was affected by a wildfire in June of 2017. The different treatments applied in the study area are the followings: 1.- Grazing exclusion using fences. 2.- Planting with protection of heap of branches. 3.- Planting without protection of heap of branches. 4.- Plant with and without protection of heap of branches. 5.- Cutting 60% of vegetation. 6.- Not treatment.

Quality Control

The protocol used has been supervised by researchers and the data have been validated by the members who performed the transects.

Method steps

1. Traps were installed during the morning and remained active for three consecutive nights. A daily check was made in the morning (a night check is unnecessary since Sherman traps include food, synthetic cotton inside and lined with film to withstand inclement weather). Once captured, individual was identified until species level and sexed when it was posible. Additionally, body mass of indviduals were taken using a pesola with 0.5 g accuracy. To control the recaptures individuals of R. rattus, A. sylvaticus, M. spretus, and E. quercinus were marked with a ear tag. On the other hand, individuals of E. quercinus also was marked with transponder. Individuals of C. russula were marked with hair cut or due to its high metabolism and risk of death was released without performing the procedures at moment. All animals were released in the same place of capture. The trapping method was consistent throughout the study period.

1. Crocidura russula
   common name: White-toothed shrew rank: species
2. Rattus rattus
   common name: Black rat rank: species
3. Eliomys quercinus
   common name: Garden dormouse rank: species
4. Mus spretus
   common name: Algerian mouse rank: species
5. Apodemus sylvaticus
   common name: Wood mouse rank: species

The study area covers the Doñana Protected Area.