© Chris Pierce, Sussex Wildlife Trust, 2005
Traditionally, the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius L.) is associated with broadleaf woodlands and coppice dominated by hazel. However, recent work from a variety of sources indicate they actually inhabit a much wider variety of habitats, including conifer plantations and thick hedges.The species has been found on many ancient woodland sites that have been planted in the past with conifers (PAWs sites). There is an increased move towards restoring such woodlands by conifer removal, raising the question of whether this would be detrimental to the dormouse and whether and how normal forest management needs to be adapted. The ecology of dormice in conifer sites and methods of conserving dormice that are consistent with various silviculture systems are required research actions in the Species Action Plan.
A conifer removal experiment has recently been initiated in Wyre Forest, in the Midlands, in an area where Forest Research has been studying dormice for some years. Studies of population size, habitat use and home ranges in the area provide baseline data. Three thinning treatments and a small-scale clearfell treatment have been applied to a 17 ha area. The impacts of damage to dummy nest by different harvesting systems have been investigated.
Dormouse use of the woodland after harvesting will be studied through nest box occupation level and radio-tracking and will help identify practices that are least disruptive to the population.
