Species could disappear due to habitat destruction

Once a common sight in Britain, the dormouse could disappear from the countryside entirely due to habitat destruction, a conservation charity has warned.

Already endangered in the UK, the dormouse is now facing further threats due to loss and fragmentation of its ancient woodland habitat, according to the Woodland Trust.

Preferring to live in rich, well managed woodland with a mixture of seasonal food, the hazel or common dormouse is an important "bio-indicator". It's range, however, had reduced by half over the past century, the trust has warned.

Although the species was once widespread in England and Wales, it is now found largely in southern England, parts of Wales and just a few isolated northern populations.

The trust says the declining dormouse population is an example of how poor land management, tree diseases and loss and damage to ancient woodland and hedgerows is threatening our wildlife.

At least 90 ancient woods in counties which still have dormice, are known by the trust to have been lost or damaged in the past 10 years. A further 202 woods are believed to be under threat.

Diseases such as ash dieback are putting further pressure on dormice in their hunt for well managed, rich native woodland, conservationists say.

John Tucker, director of woodland creation at the trust, commented: "The only way to ensure the survival of this much loved species is to create stronger, more resilient landscapes by planting more native trees and diverse woods, bringing back hedgerows to create wildlife corridors connecting woods in the landscape, and better woodland and hedgerow management."

The dormouse is a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. There are thought to be around 45,000 dormice now in the UK.

Image courtesy of The Woodland Trust