Scientific research for an environmentally friendly management of common vole outbreaks in agricultural areas of northern spain: a BBVA Foundation project

• Main Authors: Viñuela, Javier, Calero-Riestra, M., Civantos, Emilio, Ferreras, Pablo, García, Jesús T., López Martínez, Pilar, Martín Rueda, José, Martínez-Padilla, Jesús, Olea, Pedro P., Paz, Alfonso
• Format: Still Image
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: Common vole
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/145915

Resumen del póster presentado a la 10th European Vertebrate Pest Management Conference, celebrada en Sevilla (España) del 21 al 25 de septiembre de 2015.-- et al. Common vole outbreaks in Castilla y Leon have been usually managed by extensive use of rodenticides and wild vegetation burning, what can become a serious environmental problem for non-target species when applied intensively in wide areas. Thus, the identification of alternative management techniques of common vole outbreaks is a crucial element for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity in these agrarian ecosystems, among the most important in Europe. An ongoing program using next-boxes for raptors have been already experimentally implemented since 2009. This program has been well accepted by farmers and partially succesful regulating common vole densities, but recent information has shown that this technique may require complementary actions in the areas or years where maximum vole densities are reached. Looking for this complemetary management techniques, we are starting an applied research program based on three central ideas: 1) Starting experimental reasearch about the role of weasels (Mustela nivalis) in common vole population dynamics; 2) investigating the role of linear transport infraestructures in the demography, dispersal and potential isolation of common vole populations, testing the efficacy of water traps as specific control systems for these linear habitats; and 3) Evaluating the use of chemical communication as a control system, in combination with multiple capture traps. Peer Reviewed