Factors affecting distribution and habitat selection of water shrews Neomys fodiens

Champneys, A., 2012. Factors affecting distribution and habitat selection of water shrews Neomys fodiens. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

The water shrew Neomys fodiens is one of Britain’s least known mammals and its habitat requirements are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine occurrence and associated habitat preferences of water shrews, a species of conservation concern, by comparing populations in central England freshwater habitats. Bait tube surveys were undertaken at 32 freshwater sites to establish water shrew presence, half of which were found to contain water shrews. Habitat surveys were undertaken and, in addition to water shrew presence/absence data, were used to develop habitat suitability index models by means of artificial neural networks. Management intensity (occasional or frequent bankside management) was identified as the most important predictor of water shrew presence and, when combined with dissolved oxygen (0-2.99mg l-1) and water depth (<25cm), created the highest performing model. These models will allow sites to be rapidly assessed for water shrew presence without labour intensive and costly live-trapping techniques. Prey availability was investigated by undertaking invertebrate surveys at four water shrew-positive sites, as well as at an additional four sites with unknown water shrew presence with which to compare.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Champneys, A.
Date:	2012
Rights:	This work is the intellectual property of the author. You may copy up to 5% of this work for private study, or personal, non-commercial research. Any re-use of the information contained within this document should be fully referenced, quoting the author, title, university, degree level and pagination. Queries or requests for any other use, or if a more substantial copy is required, should be directed in the owner(s) of the Intellectual Property Rights.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 09:33
Last Modified:	09 Oct 2015 09:33
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/100

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