Restoration of habitats for root vole *Microtus oeconomus mehelyi

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The root vole Microtus oeconomus mehelyi is an endemic and relict species of the Pannonian lowland. Isolated populations survive in western (especially north-western) Hungary, eastern Austria and south-western Slovakia. It is listed in the Habitats Directive as a priority species for conservation, and also in the Bern Convention and the IUCN Red List. It occupies freshwater marshes, floodplains and dense vegetation along streams. The root vole’s habitat requirements are narrow and specific, and it is extremely sensitive to changes of environmental conditions. The main threat to the species is loss of suitable habitats, due to the drainage of wet meadows and grasslands in the Danube lowlands to create arable land. This is often abandoned, becoming overgrown by invasive and ruderal vegetation. A previous LIFE project (LIFE08 NAT/SK/000239), restored wetlands, wet meadows and reed beds, and created bio-corridors for Microtus oeconomus mehelyi. Monitoring of this work showed that vole populations successful re-colonised restored habitats, as a result of the changed management and raised water levels.

OBJECTIVES

The LIFE Microtus II project aims at restoring habitat for the Pannonic root vole Microtus oeconomus mehelyi, particularly wetlands, streams, marshlands and wet meadows in various stages of degradation. Furthermore, the project aims to create ecological corridors and ‘stepping stones’, to connect existing isolated vole habitats and restored habitats. This will enable migration and gene flow to prevent genetic isolation and the degradation of the species. The project will increase scientific knowledge about the species, especially on the genetic structure of the population and the threat from competing invasive species. Finally, the project will raise the awareness about the root vole, the necessary conservation measures, and the general importance of wetland ecosystems.

The project directly implements the Habitats Directive. In addition, once the grassland habitats are restored they will be managed by local stakeholders to maintain biodiversity under the Common Agricultural Policy, by restoring and enhancing ecosystems dependent on agriculture.

Expected results:

Acquisition of at least 113 ha of land for nature protection;

Restoration of at least 300 ha and 250 ha of root vole habitat in Slovakia and Austria, respectively, and restoration of over 30 ha of wetlands and 2 500 m of stream side-branches in Hungary;

Creation of at least 50 km of ecological corridors and ‘stepping stones’ for voles;

Production and dissemination of information materials;

Installation of an educational root vole exhibition in a visitors’ centre;

Construction of viewing towers/platforms;

Organisation of educational workshops, both inside and outside the project area, and field excursions for students and researchers who will be trained in telemetry to help replicate project methods;

At least a 20 % increase of Microtus oeconomus mehelyi abundance in restored habitats.