Population ecology and conservation of hazel dormice
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Biosciences
Abstract
Despite their strict protection and major conservation efforts, populations of hazel dormice Muscardinus avellanarius in England and Wales continue to decline. Recent analyses by the University of Exeter (Goodwin et al 2017) identified a 72% decline in dormouse populations from 1993 to 2014 and suggested that the species could be categorized as Endangered in the UK. Our recent work (Goodwin et al 2018a, b) has also highlighted the importance of improving woodland management to enhance the conservation status of the species in the UK. This collaborative CASE project will involve fieldwork on dormice and forestry practice. The student will work alongside key conservation organisations to build on recent work on dormouse ecology and to evaluate and improve woodland management practices in order to reverse the fortunes of this most endearing British mammal.
Project Aims and Methods
The overall aim of this project is to understand variation in dormouse conservation status, evaluate woodland management and provide evidence for improved practices to support dormouse recovery in the UK. This will be achieved by extensive analysis of dormouse populations and of woodland characteristics, using remotely sensed data, accompanied by intensive surveys of dormice and habitats in a sample of commercial and non-commercial, broadleaf and coniferous woodlands. The student will survey woodland managers to understand practice in relation to conservation regulation and commercial and other management objectives. The student will also have the opportunity to employ molecular genetic techniques to understand dormouse population processes and to develop population models to understand how variation in practice might affect populations in the long term. The student will work at public and private forests across England and Wales, sampling sites at which dormice are thriving and sites where they are in decline. The project will require extended periods of fieldwork away from Cornwall, and periods in the laboratory in Cardiff and at Forest Research.
Training
Project partners at Exeter, Cardiff and at the partner organisations will provide broad-based training in conservation science, including: species status assessment, ecological survey and analysis using terrestrial and remotely sensed data, forest ecology and with the additional opportunity to employ molecular analysis of population processes, social surveys of practitioners and population modelling.
Project Aims and Methods
The overall aim of this project is to understand variation in dormouse conservation status, evaluate woodland management and provide evidence for improved practices to support dormouse recovery in the UK. This will be achieved by extensive analysis of dormouse populations and of woodland characteristics, using remotely sensed data, accompanied by intensive surveys of dormice and habitats in a sample of commercial and non-commercial, broadleaf and coniferous woodlands. The student will survey woodland managers to understand practice in relation to conservation regulation and commercial and other management objectives. The student will also have the opportunity to employ molecular genetic techniques to understand dormouse population processes and to develop population models to understand how variation in practice might affect populations in the long term. The student will work at public and private forests across England and Wales, sampling sites at which dormice are thriving and sites where they are in decline. The project will require extended periods of fieldwork away from Cornwall, and periods in the laboratory in Cardiff and at Forest Research.
Training
Project partners at Exeter, Cardiff and at the partner organisations will provide broad-based training in conservation science, including: species status assessment, ecological survey and analysis using terrestrial and remotely sensed data, forest ecology and with the additional opportunity to employ molecular analysis of population processes, social surveys of practitioners and population modelling.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Robbie McDonald (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Eleanor Scopes (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/S007504/1 | 01/10/2019 | 30/11/2027 | |||
| 2243989 | Studentship | NE/S007504/1 | 23/09/2019 | 15/11/2023 | Eleanor Scopes |
| Description | I have provided evidence that hazel dormice are still in chronic decline in the UK, and some evidence that thy could be classed as Endangered in the UK Red List of Threatened species. This work has been published and more details can be seen in that section. I have also completed a literature review outlining the conservation implication of hibernation, which will be submitted for publication shortly. This work has found that although hibernation can have significant impacts on both conservation risks and practice, there is considerable uncertainty which makes it difficult to generalise to other hibernating species that have not been studied, and to predict ongoing changes in the future. Hibernation can confer some protection from the threats of disease and predation, although there are notable exceptions when there is significant mortality, such as white nose syndrome decimating North American bat populations. There is also clear evidence that hibernators suffer additional risks from disturbance during hibernation that can effect survival and reproductive output. Hibernator responses to climate change are the most diverse, though there are several cases when populations respond negatively. From a conservation management perspective, we are able to highlight a number of options that directly effect aspects of hibernation biology, although even here outcomes can be uncertain. |
| Exploitation Route | My work detailing the population decline of hazel dormice provides evidence for a change in Threat status in the UK from Vulnerable to Endangered. This could be taken forward by the Mammal Society, or others, to review the status and implement this change. This work can also be used by charitable bodies in the UK, namely The People's Trust for Endangered Species, to generate more funding for conservation efforts. |
| Sectors | Environment |