Earlier studies indicated that small mammal communities are suitable indicators of habitat integrity in various southern African ecosystems.In this contribution evidence in support of their status as ecological indicators is presented from two case studies that investigated small mammal succession in rehabilitated areas: (1) a post-climax conservation area that was burned,in the Grassland biome,and (2) an area cleared of alien vegetation,in the Albany Thicket biome.In both studies significant differences were found between the disturbed and fairly natural sites for several small mammal (mostly rodent) variables,including trap success,species richness and diversity.Results indicated how small mammal species composition and diversity changed with changes in plant species composition,as ecological integrity recovered over time.Whereas generalist species dominated community structures immediately after disturbance,specialist species were only trapped later.Some species also entered (≈became part of the small mammal community) at a specific stage during succession,and disappeared again at a later stage.As such,these case studies shed light on the interpretation of results in studies addressing rehabilitation,habitat integrity and environmental management,as well as the methods used when sampling and monitoring small mammal diversity and community structure.