Interactive map helps protect one of the UK’s most threatened mammals - Glasgow University
Researchers from the University of Glasgow, together with partners from Glasgow City Council, NatureScot and Seven Lochs Wetland Park, have developed an interactive web tool to map suitable habitats for a nationally significant water vole species.
Natural habitats in urban areas provide benefits for humans, wildlife and biodiversity. However, in order to maintain and increase biodiversity, we require new techniques to help identify suitable wildlife habitats so that these spaces can be protected during urban planning and city development.
Scotland is home to one of the UK’s most threatened mammals – the European Water Vole, Arvicola amphibius. These water voles occupy dry grassland habitats in parks and green spaces in and around the City of Glasgow. However, many of the areas occupied by water voles have been identified for urban regeneration and, therefore, detailed knowledge of habitat suitability is required in order to protect this species.
Now, researchers at the University of Glasgow have developed a model which can map green corridors between areas of suitable habitat, and also predict how city development may influence the availability of habitat for water voles. It is hoped this new work, which is published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, will help conservation of this unique and much-loved species.
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Posted On: 15/02/2022