Alsace Life hamSTER : Demonstration project to preserve european biodiversity in Alsace

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The common hamster, also known as the Eurasian or European hamster (Cricetus cricetus), is a protected species emblematic to the biodiversity of the Alsace region of France. Since 2000, specific actions have been undertaken to provide the right conditions for it. However, the viability of hamster populations remains under threat as a consequence of many pressures, including farming practices, urban development and infrastructure projects.The common hamster is still considered as a pest, rather than an element of biodiversity, by the majority of the inhabitants in Alsace. Recent years have seen an increasing number of trials in France and elsewhere to improve the hamsters protection. Those works have led to the identification of practices that could eventually ensure the protection of the species in France. However, these innovations remain to be tested under real-life conditions.

OBJECTIVES

The ALISTER project aimed to test the relevance, effectiveness and pre-conditions for innovative actions targeting an improvement in the viability of common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) populations in Alsace, France. The project was structured around four objectives: a) improving the habitat of the common hamster, by testing promising farming practices under real-life conditions so that the right habitat is provided in space and over time; b) reconnecting hamster populations by testing adaptations to wildlife crossings that will increase the efficiency of this infrastructure; c) creating new development opportunities for hamster populations by testing the introduction of hamsters in urban/peri-urban areas; and d) strengthening peoples awareness and social acceptance of the value of the hamster and its importance for biodiversity. The aim was for these actions to complement other public interventions aimed at protecting the hamster in Alsace.

RESULTS

The ALISTER project succeeded in halting the decades-long decline of populations of common hamster, also known as Eurasian or European hamster (Cricetus cricetus), in Alsace, France, with a progressive increase in population density.

The strong growth in the population abundance index over the 2016-2019 period resulted in the largest number of burrows in Alsace since 2001. With 722 burrows counted, associated beneficiary ONCFS estimated the overall size of the hamster population in Alsace in spring (before reproduction) to be between 1 500 and 2 000 specimens. While encouraging, however, this result falls short of the long-term objectives set out in the 2019-2028 National Action Plan (a sustained minimum of 1 500 individuals over every 600 ha of connected habitats, without the help of population reinforcements). Populations still have relatively low densities and habitats remain, as a general rule, heavily fragmented.

Hamster populations in Alsace have benefited from a range of project measures, including combinations of improved crop netting mesh size, increased refuge (i.e. non-harvested) areas, and population reinforcement. The innovative farming techniques are beneficial to the hamster, soil biology and biodiversity generally, but to be effective they need to be adopted by farmers in the longer term. At the end of the project, 150 farmers in Alsace had subscribed to hamster-friendly agri-environmental measures, representing 3 000 ha on 40% of the projects three priority action zones. Collective agri-environmental measures are widely implemented in a given area of farmland, so multipling their effects. The measures should also contribute to correcting the negative image of hamsters in the farming community.

The project team also:

identified favourable crops and farming practices to improve the conservation status of the hamster;

identified links between intensification of agriculture and survival rate of common hamster, e.g. crops grown in Alsace (such as corn) have low levels of tryptophan (vitamin B3 precursor) and shortages in the diet adversely affect behaviour);

improved collaboration and exchange between scientific and farming communities;

leverage on policymakers to reconcile EU and national regulations;

adapted infrastructure to reduce wildlife roadkill, with special anti-predation devices to safeguard small mammals and amphibians;

improved awareness of stakeholders of the importance of conserving biodiversity; and

positive evolution of the public image of the common hamster.

Given that there are a number of other threatened species tied to agriculture in Alsace, including red kite (Milvus milvus), corncrake (Crex crex), lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), green toad (Bufotes [syn. Pseudepidalea] viridis), the common hamster has the potential to act as a flagship species for conservation in the region. The hamster-friendly agricultural practices benefit wildlife generally. A project study suggested that the general public is concerned by biodiversity issues and willing to financially contribute to the halting of its decline. Associated beneficiary ACTon outlined in a report the high number of scientific studies co-financed by the LIFE project. These dramatically improved the knowledge of the hamster species and laid the ground for a large amount of communication initiatives, both towards specialists and the general public. The project contributed to the implementation of national, EU and international conservation policy, as the common hamster is currently protected under Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/CEE), and Annex II of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern, 1979) as a "strictly protected species". It is also listed in IUCNs Red List of Threatened Species, as a species of Least Concern globally in 2013, and the Red List of the continental mammals of France (2009). EU Member States therefore need to take measures to ensure the species conservation. This LIFE project, as well as three National Action Plans (2007-2011, 2012-2016 and 2018-2028), is Frances response to the European legislation.

Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).