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CONSERVING WATER VOLES: BRITAIN'S FASTEST DECLINING MAMMAL
Author(s) -
Strachan R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
water and environment journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1747-6593
pISSN - 1747-6585
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-6593.2004.tb00483.x
Subject(s) - vole , habitat , predation , habitat destruction , population decline , geography , ecology , population , fragmentation (computing) , habitat fragmentation , environmental protection , biology , demography , sociology
In Britain, the water vole is a declining species because of habitat loss and land‐use change associated with the intensification of agriculture and urban encroachment. During recent years, this decline has accelerated due to predation by feral American Mink (escapees from fur farms) and population fragmentation. Legal protection and planning policy has allowed for conservation action to be incorporated into waterside developments. This paper examines the various options to maintain and enhance water‐vole populations through planning design, sensitive mitigation procedures and strategic habitat restoration.