Analysis of the hazel dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius, distribution in a Mediterranean fragmented woodland

The hazel dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius, distribution was investigated in a fragmented woodland of central Italy. In order to understand the effects of habitat fragmentation and forest structure on this species its presence-absence was analysed in 38 forest fragments, in relation to several parameters (woodlot area and isolation, floristic diversity, vegetation strata, etc). The human activities practised in the various forest fragments, such as forest management and grazing by domestic cattle, were also recorded. The surveys were conducted by using two different methods (hair-tubing technique and searching for hazel dormouse nests). Our results indicated that in grazed woodlots M. avellanarius was likely to be absent, while no evidence was found about the preference for a given type of forest management. Woodlots with more diversified undergrowth were more favourable to the species, while in forest fragments with conspicuos mean tree diameter and hight it was likely to be absent. Woodlots well connected with hedgerows were associated with higher probabilities in finding the hazel dormouse, while no evident correlation between its presence and woodlot area was found.