Using population genetics and scent deposits to inform recovery strategies for a threatened UK mammal

Water voles (Arvicola amphibius) are the largest of Britain's three native vole species, and one of the UK's fastest declining mammals, with a dramatic 30% decline in just 10 years (2006-2015). Population fragmentation erodes genetic variability and increases inbreeding, which further threaten long term population persistence. As a priority conservation species, it is vital to understand genetic status and distinctiveness of local water vole populations, allowing implementation of appropriate and robust recovery strategies.

This project, working alongside Cheshire Wildlife Trust will; a) Assess genetic variability and degree of inbreeding within remnant water vole populations in Cheshire b) Test the negative impact of relatedness and inbreeding on reproductive maturation, survival and productivity, while also taking vole social and sexual responses into account, and c) Establish the genetic distinctiveness of Cheshire water voles compared to other regions around the UK.

Gaining this information from fragile populations presents a substantial challenge, requiring a range of non-invasive approaches (utilising faeces and scent deposits) to minimise disturbance and allow reliable replication for UK conservation organisations.