Patterns of vole gnawing on saplings in managed clearings in Central European forests

•The field vole (Microtus agrestis) represents the main pest species in Central Europe.•Abundance of field vole seems to be the best predictor of bark-gnawing occurrence.•Bark gnawing by voles increases direct mortality of saplings more than other biotic factors.•The majority of beech saplings is able to repress the effect of gnawing and survive.•Bark gnawing damage in Central Europe occurs regularly and accumulate with significant economic implications.