Hazel mice and seven sleepers in the Gesäuse National Park — Styria

In the Gesäuse National Park in 2012, the Haselmouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) and the Seven Sleeper (Glis glis) recorded the occurrences of two bilcharts. The floodplains along the Enns and the vegetation-rich edges of the debris cones proved to be potential habitats. The present study should provide information on the importance of these sites for the two species using 20 nest boxes and 80 nest tubes on the examples of Haslau and Disc Builders. While the seven sleeper was unspecific to environmental factors, the nest sites of the hazel mouse were predominantly in light areas with a pronounced herb layer and a comparatively low cover of the shrub and tree layer. The results suggest that in suitable habitats in the national park, an average to high population density of the seven sleeper and a low population density of the hazel mouse can be assumed. In addition to the study of selected areas, trace mapping and the assessment of the Johnsbach valley as a potential distribution corridor of the Haselmouse were carried out. This showed that despite some severe restrictions, continuous use takes place.