Metla Project 3505

Rodent research

Duration: 2008-2013 Keywords: Glaucidium passerinum, Microtus agrestis, Myodes glareolus, Puumala virus, bank vole, cyclicity, damage control, damage resistance, field vole, food plants, graminoids, grass control, nephropathia epidemica, nitrogen, nutrients, parasites, photoperiod disturbance, population dynamics, predation, predators, pygmy owl, repellents, rodent-borne diseases, silica, soil cultivation, time series analyses, vole damage
Research project group:

Objectives

Population cycles of small rodents, voles in particular, are a characteristic feature of Northern Europe. This phenomenon is reflected in diverse ways on human life. During so called peak years voles cause extensive damage in forestry plantations and in gardens, and rodents are also carriers and reservoirs of a number of zoonotic diseases. In this project, we study regional and temporal patterns of vole fluctuations in Finland, as well as their causes, and aim to develop methods to reduce and prevent damage by voles. We also study zoonotic agents carried and transmitted by rodents both in Finland and elsewhere in the world.

Project leader: Henttonen, Heikki
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Unit, PO Box 18 (Jokiniemenkuja 1), FI-01301 VANTAA, FINLAND
Phone: +358 29 532 2430
E-mail: heikki.henttonen@metla.fi

Other researchers: Hardman, Lotta (2011), Haukisalmi, Voitto (2009-12), Huitu, Otso, SU (2009-13), Lehtinen, Markku (2012), Niemimaa, Jukka, VA (2009-13), Razzauti Sanfeliu, Maria (2009), Rossi, Pekka (2010), Voutilainen, Piia-Liina (2009)

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Updated 02.02.2013
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