Footprint tunnels are effective for detecting dormouse species

Melcore, Ilaria; Ferrari, Giulia; Bertolino, Sandro

doi:10.1111/mam.12199

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The differences between this study and the existing literature might be attributed to survey methods. Most of the previous research use natural nests (Berg, 1996; Berg & Berg, 1998; Ramakers et al., 2014; Wolton, 2009) or nest tubes (Chanin & Woods, 2003; Dondina et al., 2016; Ehlers, 2012) to assess hazel dormouse presence, whilst we employed footprint tunnels which have been shown to be faster (Bullion et al., 2018; Mills et al., 2016) and more effective methods of detecting dormice (Melcore et al., 2020). Techniques relying on nests highlight habitats preferred for nesting locations rather than for foraging or dispersal.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies so far have employed surveys of natural nests (Berg, 1996; Berg & Berg, 1998; Ramakers et al., 2014; Wolton, 2009) or nest tubes (Chanin & Woods, 2003; Dondina et al., 2016; Ehlers, 2012) to assess presence, which require dormice to reside in the habitat. Instead, we use footprint tunnels which have been shown to be faster (Bullion et al., 2018; Mills et al., 2016) and better for detecting dormice, with five times the occupancy rates from footprint tunnels compared to nest boxes or tubes (Melcore et al., 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variation in hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) presence in hedge and scrub habitats

Scopes,

Bennie,

Broome

et al. 2024

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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Habitat restoration at a landscape scale is key to reversing the loss of biodiversity arising from habitat destruction. In landscapes that are intensively used by people, such as for agriculture, valuable restoration efforts might be applied not just to ‘prime’ habitats that are known to have strong associations with target species, but also to ‘sub‐prime’ habitats that might nevertheless provide sufficient resources to support populations. Hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) populations are in chronic decline in the UK. The species is typically associated with broadleaf woodland but restoration of this habitat at scale in agricultural landscapes is difficult. Other habitats used by dormice might, therefore, provide opportunities for restoration. We investigated the use by hazel dormice of hedgerow and scrub habitats in southwest England. From June–November 2022, using footprint‐recording tunnels, we surveyed 38 hedges and 21 scrub patches in the vicinity of 18 sites known to contain established dormouse populations. We found that dormice were frequently present in scrub (9.3 detections per 100 tunnel checks, 95% confidence interval 6.6–12.0) and less frequently in hedges (4.5 detections, 95% CI 3.2–5.8). In scrub patches, dormice were present more frequently as the abundance of dormice in the closest population increased, and less frequently where bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) was dominant. In hedges, dormice were detected more frequently where there was abundant hazel (Corylus avellana) and honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), as frequency of intersections with other hedges increased, and where an earthen bank was not present. Understanding hazel dormouse association with a wide range of habitats, particularly scrub, offers more opportunities for habitat restoration as part of species conservation strategies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) presence in hedge and scrub habitats

Scopes,

Bennie,

Broome

et al. 2024

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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“…Priestley et al (2021) detected dormice in 3 out of 50 tubes within 8 days using this method, whereas a nest was only found in one tube on day 63 suggesting survey efficiency could be increased significantly. Research by Melcore et al (2020) comparing nest boxes, nest tubes and footprint tunnels found the latter to be most effective and these are increasingly used, but, like the eDNA method, require regular checking and so best suited to short-term surveys. The results from the volunteer and professional surveys combined give a time series of data indicating the state of England's dormouse populations, revealing a decline of 70% since 2000 (Wembridge et al, 2023).…”

Section: Current 'Good Practice' Survey Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the use of artificial nest boxes positioned at different heights on trees and in isolated positions by dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius): Implications for current survey guidelines

Bartlett,

Bower,

Dear

2024

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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This research, carried out in two phases, is a response to questions raised regarding the validity of surveys based on artificial nest boxes, positioned at around 1.4 m from ground level, to determine the presence of dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius). This species is generally considered to be an arboreal mammal that visits the ground infrequently other than for winter hibernation. In Phase 1, artificial nest boxes were positioned high in the tree canopy and at standard height on the same tree. The presence of leaves and material from the woodland floor in nests informed the design of Phase 2 with the inclusion of a third box, on an isolated post with no arboreal connectivity, carried out on a different site. Results demonstrate the presence of dormice and their nests in artificial nest boxes positioned in the tree canopy, at conventional height and on isolated posts with no arboreal connectivity. This suggests that the current method of surveying for dormice using boxes at around 1.4 m from ground level may not result in robust ‘likely absence’ conclusions for surveys aimed at determining the presence of dormice on a site. Previous experience of long‐term surveys has indicated that use of artificial next boxes declines with age of box. This was confirmed over the 6 years of the second project reported here. While often taken to indicate decline in population alternative explanations are proposed and this is highlighted as requiring further investigation. The apparent decline of hazel dormice and the contraction of their range is evidenced by surveys carried out according to current ‘good practice’ guidance. The results of this research suggest that these should be reviewed and revised to ensure conservation objectives are being met.

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“…Monitoring of small nocturnal and arboreal rodent species is difficult and has been conducted mostly with indirect techniques (Melcore et al 2020;Mills et al 2016; but see Adamík et al 2019). Concerning indirect techniques, camera-trapping can be superior to the detection of footprints or hair collection for arboreal species because it enables researchers to collect data about the circadian or diel activity with non-invasive methods (Suzuki and Ando 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circadian activity of the fat dormouse Glis glis measured with camera traps at bait stations

Randler

Kalb

2021

Mamm Res

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Monitoring of small nocturnal and arboreal rodents is difficult and often conducted using indirect techniques. Here, we measured the circadian activity of the fat dormouse (Glis glis) directly using camera traps. The study took place at the Spitzberg in SW Germany. Data were collected using six Bushnell Natureview cameras with a macro lens at baited feeding stations. At 14 out of 41 active camera locations, edible dormice occurred. We collected 301 events between 8th July and 5th October 2018. There were 21.5 events per camera trap (SD 30.4), ranging from 1 to 82. The edible dormouse showed a nocturnal pattern, with a mean activity around midnight at 24:15 h. The pattern shows a slightly bimodal activity. Feeding activity started around or even slightly before sunset and stopped right before sunrise. The study shows that circadian activity, in this respect feeding activity, can be captured by camera trapping, which is a non-invasive method, and can be applied easily in the field.

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Footprint tunnels are effective for detecting dormouse species

Cited by 7 publications

References 9 publications

Variation in hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) presence in hedge and scrub habitats

Variation in hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) presence in hedge and scrub habitats

Investigating the use of artificial nest boxes positioned at different heights on trees and in isolated positions by dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius): Implications for current survey guidelines

Circadian activity of the fat dormouse Glis glis measured with camera traps at bait stations

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