Conservation ecology of a reintroduced dormouse population

The impact of changing environmental conditions on endangered species is a subject of pressing conservation concern. Hazel dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) are rare and vulnerable to extinction in the UK. Although once widespread throughout England and Wales, changes in land use and in the management of woodland and hedgerow habitat have led to significant reductions in dormouse distribution and population size, with remaining populations increasingly isolated. Hazel dormice are a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and a European Protected Species.

This project will focus primarily on a re-introduced population of hazel dormice at a semi-ancient woodland site in Cheshire. The population was established as part of the English Nature Species Recovery Programme in 1996. Project CASE partner Cheshire Wildlife Trust have monitored this population for over 20 years, providing more than 200 artificial nest boxes to support breeding success.

Key aims and objectives of the project will be developed with the goal of directly informing conservation plans.

Potential goals include:
- Analyse and add to long-term data records on population size, demography and breeding success, to identify environmental factors explaining population trends.
- Determine the role of interspecific competition with wood mice and yellow-necked mice in the behaviour and population dynamics of hazel dormice.
- Test a range of non-invasive surveying and monitoring methods, to quantify the extent of dispersal to new sites, and inform plans for improving habitat connectivity.
- Apply non-invasive molecular tools for diet analysis, to inform future habitat management, and genetic analysis, to inform population management.
- Identify key habitat requirements to support the current population and plan for future reintroductions.