Climate, landscape, habitat, and woodland management associations with hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius population status

Abstract

1.Although strictly protected, populations of the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius in the UK declined by 72% from 1993 to 2014. Using National Dormouse Monitoring Programme data from 300 sites throughout England and Wales, we investigated variation in hazel dormouse population status (expressed as Indices of Abundance, Breeding, and population Trend) in relation to climate, landscape, habitat, and woodland management. 2. Dormice were more abundant and produced more litters on sites with warmer, sunnier springs, summers, and autumns. Dormouse abundance was also higher on sites with consistently cold local climate in winter. Habitat connectivity, woodland species composition, and active site management were all correlated with greater dormouse abundance and breeding. Abundances were also higher on sites with successional habitats, whereas the abundance of early successional bramble Rubus fruticosus habitat, woodland area, and landscape connectivity were important for population stability. 3. Diversity in the structure of woodlands in Europe has decreased over the last 100 years, and the habitats we found to be associated with more favourable dormouse status have also been in decline. The conservation status

Applying remotely sensed habitat descriptors to assist reintroduction programs: A case study in the hazel dormouse

“…Topography could increase the variability of shade and sun, aiding hazel dormice by creating microclimates with a greater plant diversity (Bright & Morris, 1996). Furthermore, bramble is often associated with stable dormouse populations and a range of sunlight can increase the seasonal availability of bramble fruit by up to 2 weeks (Goodwin, Suggitt, et al, 2018;Gyan & Woodell, 1987).…”

Harnessing practitioner knowledge to inform the conservation of a protected species, the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius

“…Three characteristics of favourable habitats were repeatedly highlighted as being important, and are well supported by the scientific literature (Capizzi et al, 2002;Dondina et al, 2016;Goodwin, Suggitt, et al, 2018;Sozio et al, 2016). These were (i) a dense threedimensional habitat structure to facilitate movement, and to provide food, nest sites and protection from predators, (ii) a diversity of plant species and habitats to provide nesting materials and continuity of food resources throughout the year and (iii) connectivity both within and between habitats.…”

“…To what extent does climate change affect the viability of current populations and currently suitable habitats? • Studies in England suggest that dormice benefit from warmer, drier, sunnier springs, summers and autumns and colder winters Goodwin, Suggitt, et al, 2018). However, potential impacts of climate on dormice are diverse (reviewed in .…”

Genotyping-by-sequencing based SNP discovery in a non-model rodent, the endangered hazel dormouse

“…The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius, linnaeus, 1758) is currently undergoing population decline in many areas of its European distribution. Possible reasons are habitat fragmentation, decreasing habitat quality and climate change (Bright et al 2006;Goodwin et al 2018, Mortelliti et al 2010. Despite being internationally protected and the subject of several ongoing conservation projects, hazel dormouse populations are still decreasing annually in parts of Europe (Goodwin et al 2017;Schulz and Büchner 2018;Hutterer et al 2021).…”