This animal has been historically considered a member of genus arvicola, but molecular evidence demonstrates that it is more closely related to north american microtus species. At over 9 inches and around 4 ounces, the male adult is about twice the length and four times the weight of other voles in the state. Reintroductions as an essential conservation tool for water vole. Buy water vole conservation handbook 9780954637651. The mammal society published a new water vole mitigation handbook in march 2016 and we have just recieved a copy of the guide. Snh are supporting glasgow city council and the university of glasgow, who are working in the local community, to help. Download peter thompsons essential 26page book, featuring beautiful.
There is detailed advice to be found in the water vole conservation. Water voles numbers are declining and are considered a species of importance in england, scotland and wales. It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place which water voles use for shelter or protection. New water vole mitigation handbook ecology by design. Water voles immortalised as ratty in kenneth grahames the wind in the willows became endangered due to the degradation, fragmentation and loss of. The water vole microtus richardsoni is the largest north american vole. The water vole has recently undergone a catastrophic decline in the uk. The first in a new series of practitioner guidance from the mammal society, it provides the evidence base for informed decisionmaking by ecological consultants, planners, competent authorities and developers. In 1998 there were estimated to be only 875,000 individuals. Reintroductions as an essential conservation tool for. Traditional survey methods rely upon the recording of field signs indicative of the presence of water voles, as described in the water vole conservation handbook strachan et. Water vole habitat and management information and advice for homeowners, landowners and land managers. Scotlands water voles often appear darker, with many having a black coat.
The discovery of thriving populations of water voles in a residential area of glasgow away from traditional habitat is considered to be of national significance. The water vole is a popular animal, the chunky aquatic vegetarian immortalised as ratty in kenneth grahames the wind in the willows, but it has been all. In addition, derek is a key enthusiast and working group member for the reintroduction of the european beaver. Water vole conservation handbook, second edition request pdf. It is highly likely that the reasons for this decline commenced many decades ago, but it was only in the late 1980s. However, at some reedbed sites water voles and mink have apparently coexisted for many years. The water vole mitigation handbook, endorsed by the water vole steering group and cieem, provides the latest guidance on mitigating the effects of development on water voles. Established in 1964, the iucn red list of threatened species has evolved to become the worlds most comprehensive information source on the global. A books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Books that help children appreciate the value and importance of water on our planet. Derek is coauthor of the water vole conservation handbook and has trained numerous individuals and members of other organisations on water vole handling, live trapping and restoration techniques. The water vole microtus richardsoni occupies the boreal and alpine zones of major.
Numbers of mink have been on the decline since the projects inception, and. Water voles are small burrowing rodents, which are associated with all kinds of water bodies. Water voles have rounder noses than rats, deep brown fur, chubby faces and short fuzzy ears and unlike the rat their tails, paws and ears are covered with hair. The water vole is britains fastest declining mammal, disappearing from 70% of. Reedbeds as refuges for water voles arvicola terrestris. Conservationists say that habitat loss, predation by american mink, and changeable weather are. Water voles occur mainly along well vegetated banks of slow flowing rivers, ditches, dykes and lakes. Minks blamed as water vole extinct in the southwest. Water voles are herbivorous and feed primarily on the lush aerial stems and leaves of waterside plants during the growing season, and the roots and bark of woody species such as willow, together with the rhizomes and bulbs.
Guidelines outlined in the water vole conservation handbook 3rd ed. Learn more about water voles, our current conservation work to save them and how you can become a voleunteer with us by following the links below. Also known as the european water vole, and incorrectly the water rat. The water vole arvicola amphibius formerly terrestris is the largest species of vole in britain and inhabits canals, rivers, streams, ditches and other wetland areas. Long fur covers water voles, dark brown to reddish brown on top, and gray, mixed with white or silver on their bellies. Water voles have declined by a fifth in the uk since 2011, a survey suggests. The water vole is a protected species and is listed under schedule 5 of the wildlife and countryside act and receives further protection through the nature conservation scotland act 2004. Five populations failed to establish or were later lost. The vincent wildlife trusts 198990 national water vole survey recorded water voles at a single site on the river bude although no latrines piles of droppings developed as territorial markers were found. Notebook journal for animals and pet lovers, great gift for girls who loves wild animals, 6x9 inches 110 blank lined pages by lovesgirl publishing 3 jan 2020 paperback. About water voles find out more about the life of a water vole. Todays guest blog comes courtesy of robyn stewart, glasgows water vole ambassador.
Between 1970 and 2000, the water vole underwent one of the most catastrophic declines of any species in the uk. It is found in the northwestern united states and southern parts of western canada. Impact of habitat destruction on water vole displacement. The similar brown rat is larger, with greybrown fur, a pointed nose, large ears that protrude from its fur, and a long, scaly tail. Nhbs rob strachan, tom moorhouse and merryl gelling, wild cru. Displacement is a form of mitigation that involves the removal of habitat to relocate water voles arvicola amphibius from.
A seasonal guide to what its like being a water vole in britain. Cohorts of fortyfour water voles were released into twelve replicate 800 m stretches of river, each supporting a different habitat abundance. The mammal society guidance series mammal society series mammal society mitigation guidance series by mike dean, derek gow, et al. Click download or read online button to get water vole conservation handbook book now. The water vole arvicola amphibious provides a vivid illustration of the process of conservation research, from the initial discovery that a species is declining, through diagnostic research into the causes, then development and testing of solutions, to the production and implementation of a strategy for the species recovery. The environmental records centre for cornwall and the isles of scilly has compiled a list of water vole records dating back to the 1960s.
The water vole mitigation handbook sussex wildlife trust. Bbotws conservation work is helping water vole populations recover locally but they say more work must be done so the vole can thrive and stay safe for the future. Water vole water vole classification and evolution. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want.
All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Water vole distribution in green, taken from britains mammals 2018. The 10 best conservation and environment books of 2016. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features.
The cotswold water park water vole recovery project has been running since 2002, and focuses on surveying the extent of water vole populations in the cwp, and eradicating the american mink. The european water vole arvicola amphibius is a semiaquatic mammal that resembles a rat. A replicated reintroduction experiment of water voles arvicola terrestris in the upper thames was undertaken to reverse the species decline, and to learn lessons for future reintroductions. Water vole mitigation techniques natural england publications. Cricetidae water voles, also sometimes referred to as water rats, inhabit rivers, streams and canals and are the largest vole species found in the british isles. Water vole conservation handbook, 2006 introduction the publication in 2006 of the revised edition of the water vole conservation handbook strachan and moorhouse 2006 provided a valuable update on aspects of the species ecology and conservation. This publication was intended as a guide based on perceived best practice at the time. Pdf download water vole conservation handbook free nwc. In fact, the water vole is often informally called the water rat. New water vole mitigation guidelines for development and. This has resulted from loss and fragmentation of suitable habitat leaving water vole populations highly vulnerable to the impact of predation by introduced american mink. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. It is listed as a species of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in england, scotland and wales, and is protected under wildlife conservation legislation in the uk.
As such, they are protected under uk wildlife conservation legislation, making them of material consideration in the determining of planning applications. The mammal societys guide to their population and conservation status. The first in a new series of practitioner guidance from the mammal society, it provides the evidence base for informed decisionmaking by ecological consultants, planners, competent. In preroman times, the water vole was actually britains commonest small mammal. Enlarge and expand conservation projects to protect and enhance water vole populations at a landscapescale, to help water vole populations recover and reoccupy their former range and distribution monitor water voles continue to monitor water vole populations and invest further in volunteers to help survey. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The water vole is found throughout britain, though it is less common on higher ground. The network of expert volunteer recorders is critical to water vole.
He oversaw numerous research projects on water voles during his time with oxford universitys wildlife conservation research unit, and wrote the first edition of the water vole conservation handbook, which was published in 1998. The water vole is a small species of semiaquatic rodent that is found along the riverbanks throughout the uk and europe. Wildlife conservation research unit, university of oxford, 2006 arvicola pages. Water voles arvicola amphibius are one of the uks fastest declining wild mammals and listed as a species of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in england, scotland and wales. Water vole conservation handbook download ebook pdf. They are similar in appearance to mice and rats but have a number of distinctive differences including a flatter snout and a shorter tail. The water vole is britains fastest declining mammal, disappearing from 70% of known sites in only seven years between national surveys in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is infrequently recorded from parts of northern scotland and is absent from ireland.
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