The small mammal fauna in a hedge of north-eastern Bavaria

Investigated the small mammal fauna of a hedge in north-eastern Bavaria in 1988. Between March and December 5 species of rodents and 4 species of insectivores were caught by live trapping. Abundance and species diversity varied during the year with a peak in autumn. Compared to forests, rodent density was very high. The most abundant species was Apodemus sylvaticus (more than 300 individuals ha −1 ). Captures per trap were highest in traps in dense vegetation and along the southern rim of the hedge. There was an extensive exchange of individuals between adjacent hedges