Population Density Patterns of Dominant Mice and Voles in a Forest–Meadow Ecotone

Abstract The relative roles of environmental filtering and competition in structuring assemblages of ecologically similar rodents remain poorly understood. We examined population density patterns of mice and voles on the Prikhankaya Plain to identify habitat preferences and the factors shaping species coexistence. Population densities of harvest mouse, gray red-backed vole, and northern red-backed vole—and likely those of Korean field mouse and striped field mouse—were associated with heat and moisture availability. In contrast, competition did not appear to influence assemblage structure under current conditions. The mechanisms underlying these patterns and potential responses of the assemblage to global environmental change are discussed.