Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Despite its conservation potential, little is known of whether land taken out of arable production as set-aside benefits wildlife, nor what features enhance its value as a habitat. We studied the presence of small mammals on one-year set-aside through a summer harvest period (278 captures in 3000 trap nights). Trapping success was low on all set-aside (0.6%), but was higher in adjoining hedgerow (30%) and cereal crops (13%). Wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus (Linnaeus, 1758) were the most commonly caught species, and the only species to occur on set-aside. There were no significant differences in trap success between set-aside configured in blocks and strips, nor between sown and naturally regenerated set-aside. Captures on set-aside increased after harvest, when the crop no longer provided cover. Our data demonstrate that set-aside is not necessarily a suitable habitat for small mammals.

Original publication

DOI

10.4098/AT.arch.97-33

Type

Journal article

Journal

Acta Theriologica

Publication Date

01/01/1997

Volume

42

Pages

329 - 334