Diversity Of Small Mammals Among Different Plantations In Shennongjia, Central China

Variation in diversity of small mammal communities in four different forest types(Pinusarmandis plantation forest, Larix leptolepis plantation forest, secondary forest and primaryforest) in Shennongjia was investigated during September to October,2010. In3737trapnights, we captured194individuals representing7species,2families and2orders. Therelative density of small mammals was5.19%.The relative density variation of small mammals among diffdrent forest types wassignificant. Richness index: P. armandis plantation forest(R=1.4595)> primary forest(R=1.1343)> secondary forest(R=0.7357)> L. leptolepis plantation forest(R=0.5422).Shannon-Wiener index: P. armandis plantation forest(H=1.3461)> primary forest(H=1.2730)> secondary forest(H=1.1665)> L. leptolepis plantation forest(H=0.9918). It wasthe higher Similarity index between plantations and secondary forest. The KWLvariations ofNiviventer confucianus was significantly among different forest types. But the KWLvariationsof Apodemus draco was not significantly among different forest types.Our results showed that the restoration of Niviventer confucianus forest was better thanthat of Larix leptolepis forest. But there were many differences between plantations andnature forest. We suggested that intercropping and indigenous native tree species were thehighest priority in forest restoration and reforestation programs.