<
https://www.positive.news/environment/ecologists-roped-in-to-help-hazel-dormice-bridge-the-gap/>
"Mini rope bridges are being created for hazel dormice in one of England’s
ancient forests to help them travel safely. Forestry England was forced to fell
trees in the Forest of Dean due to Chalara ash dieback, which fragmented
habitats for endangered hazel dormice. However, with two 20m-long ladders
bridging the gap they can travel safely between treetops once more.
Area ecologist at Forestry England, Kate Wollen told
Positive News: “Dormice
do not like to come to ground except for hibernation. They feel vulnerable to
predators when on the ground and while these bridges don’t replace the trees
that had to be felled, they will enable dormice to feel safer as they cross
from one part of the wood to another.”
Dormice are a designated protected species throughout Europe and the UK, where
the loss of quality woodland and hedgerows means populations have dwindled by
almost half in the last three decades. They favour woodlands with mosaic
habitats managed traditionally through methods such as coppicing, a practice in
decline across the UK, which involves felling trees at their base to create a
fan of new shoots.
The Forest of Dean rope bridges (pictured below) have been installed in
woodland near Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire. Trail cameras are being fitted over
the summer to monitor the dormice using them."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
