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The Research...
The Upper Thames Project (UTP) provides a 500 square km laboratory in which we are studying the effects of agrienvironmental schemes on a variety of taxa. |
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Dragonflies and damselflies
We seek to investigate the impact on odonate (dragonfly and damselfly) populations of various habitat manipulations, at both the farm and the landscape levels. Odonates are indicators of clean water; the Pond Conservation Trust has recently introduced new criteria for assessing the health of ponds, recognising that the most effective animal groups for doing this are odonates and water beetles. It may not be surprising therefore that many odonate species have disappeared completely from our agricultural landscape, and now survive only on nature reserves. |
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Bats
Bats are likely to be particularly sensitive indicators of farming practice. Their small size and rapid metabolism places them in constant danger of energy deficit: they are therefore extremely vulnerable to reduction in prey availability due to insecticide use or indirect effects of farm practice on their invertebrate prey. Their strong association with linear landscape features means that unsympathetic hedgerow management or hedgerow removal may have important implications for their feeding activity. Finally, their mobility means that a high degree of choice can be exercised over their foraging sites, and so any change in agricultural practice, which benefits bats, is likely to result in a relatively rapid change in bat feeding activity in that area. |
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Dormice
Dormouse numbers in the U.K. are estimated to have halved in the last 100 years, with the majority of remaining populations occurring in ancient semi-natural woodland and hedgerows in southern England. The main reasons for this decline appear to be linked to the loss and fragmentation of ancient woodlands, reduction in woodland management practices and, more recently, climate change.
This WildCRU project, in collaboration with the Forestry Commission, will undertake focused research into the ecology of the dormouse in the Upper Thames Tributaries region, particularly around Wychwood Forest and adjacent woodland patches and hedgerows. |
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Moths
Moths are an important part of the prey base of many bats, yet recent figures suggest drastic declines in numbers of once common moth species. A recent analysis (funded by Esmee Fairbairn) has shown that total numbers of moths recorded from the longest-running light-trap at Rothamstead Research in Hertfordshire have declined by over 60% since the 1930s. In the past 30 years populations of once commonplace moths such as the Lackey and the Figure of Eight have been decimated -(by 72% and 64% respectively). 122 moth species are listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as Species of Conservation Concern, including 52 Priority Species. Many of these moths have traditionally been associated with farmland habitats and their decline is believed to be linked with loss of habitat and agricultural intensification. |
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Water Vole
We are addressing habitat enhancement, population reinforcement (through natural re-colonisations and reintroductions), and mink removal (American Mink are invasive predators of native water voles). In a previous project in and around Chichester, through close liaison with farmers, over 61km of margin buffer strips were created, 27 farm and 28 ditch ponds and 42 km of ditch were restored. Over 7km of new fencing was put in place to protect watercourses from trampling by livestock. As a result, the imperilled water vole has increased its numbers and expanded its range; water voles are now on a secure footing in this part of West Sussex. The challenge of expanding this process to different farming systems will be taken forward in the floodplains in parts of the Upper Thames, where they are currently absent. |
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Grey Partridge
Once a common bird in the English countryside, the grey partridge Perdix perdix has undergone a dramatic decline since the 1950s, with BTO data suggesting as much as an 84% decline between 1970 and 2001. This trend has been mainly attributed to agricultural intensification reducing the availability of nesting sites, brood rearing habitat and quantities of insect food for chicks through herbicide and pesticide use.
The BAP for grey partridges in the UK includes provision for captive rearing and reintroduction for increasing numbers. This project, carried out in partnership with the Game Conservancy Trust, will investigate aspects of the ecology and behaviour of captive-reared grey partridges affecting their post-release settlement, survival and reproduction on sympathetically managed farmland. Moreover, this research will increase knowledge about reintroductions of captive-reared animals as a tool for establishing or enhancing wild breeding populations. |
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Mink, Otters & Polecats
The aim of this project is to devise and apply a strategy for controlling American mink to reduce its pressure on riparian biodiversity. We approached this initially by developing a spatially explicit individual-based model to provide a framework for assessing the efficiency and efficacy of a mink control program. We posed two broad questions: 1. what is the optimal control strategy to reduce mink densities considering the costs and benefits of the time and resources required to achieve it? and 2. what type of control strategy would be best to ensure that mink populations are maintained at a level low enough to ensure the long-term survival of water voles?
To be of use, all scientific models require validation in the field. Therefore, the second part of our project will implement a systematic control strategy in the field. This part of the project is twofold. Firstly, it aims to demonstrate, through proper use of the scientific method, whether mink control can be effectively achieved. Secondly, by implementing a specific control strategy identified by the model as the optimal approach it will validate the model, allowing further model refinements and improving the precision and accuracy of future model predictions.
Recent Publications:
Bonesi, L., Rushton, S.P. & Macdonald, D.W. (2007) Trapping for mink control and water vole survival: Identifying key criteria using a spatially explicit individual based model. Biological Conservation, 136, 636-650.
Harrington, L.A., Harrington, A.L. & Macdonald, D.W. (2007) Estimating the relative abundance of American mink Mustela vison on lowland rivers: evaluation and comparison of two techniques. European Journal of Wildlife Research, DOI 10.1007/s10344-007-0114-2 |
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Harvest Mice
This study seeks to determine the current status and distribution of harvest mice in the Upper Thames Tributaries region and to examine dispersal within such a lowland agricultural landscape. Expanding upon existing monitoring as part of the Upper Thames Project carried out since 2004, this project adds intensive details from live-trapping and radio tracking individuals and extends the wider surveying.
Our recent report on the status of harvest mice in the UTT is available for download here.
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Climate Change & Woodlands
Trees provide carbon storage ecosystem services in addition to providing important habitats for wildlife. This new initiative, in collaboration with the Environmental Change Institute and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, will examine the ecosystem service provided by woodlands, trees and hedgerows and the relationship with biodiversity - another critical ecosystem service. This will provide vital information on woodland and landscape resilience in the face of environmental change and the consequences for wildlife biodiversity. |
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