Wetlands project boosts wildlife

Water vole numbers have declined over the last century

A local project is helping to expand the habitat of rare wetland mammals.

The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is working with farmers and landowners to increase the amount of wetland areas available to threatened mammals.

Animals, such as otters and water voles, have seen a massive decline in numbers.

The recent building boom and changes in farming methods has seen a reduction in the area of wetland habitat across the country.

The Trust carries out surveys on the number of mammals as well as providing advice to landowners on developing ponds and improving the environment around waterways to attract wildlife.

Jon Traill, a project officer with the Trust, said that the work has an immediate impact: "One of the great things about it is that the wildlife does respond really well. The wildlife will naturally colonise it. You don't have to do a lot else. You leave it and the wildlife will turn up."

Although the work benefits other wildlife such as insects, birds and amphibians the main focus is on mammals. The four target animals are water voles, water shrews, otters and field mice.

Otter numbers are often seen as a way of assessing a river's health

The water vole is seen as a barometer for the success of the scheme. A recent survey found that the species has declined by 90%, based on records stretching back nearly 100-years.

Our region has fared better than others; water voles are virtually extinct in parts of West Yorkshire and the Dales. The numbers of water voles locally are holding up and expanding their territory into new areas.

The recent floods have been a doubled-edged sword. Jon Traill says that in the short-term the smaller mammals, such as the water shrew and field mouse will have had been devastated by the deluge.

In the long-term many local farmers are realising that turning some of their land over to natural wetlands could possibly help reduce the severity of future floods. By acting as "natural sponges" the wetlands hold and slowly drain the flood water away. Although it will never prevent flooding such measures can minimise the impact.

It is hoped this more natural way of flood management will provide a significant boost to local wildlife over the next decade.