Summary
Upland landscapes will play a crucial role in saving the once common Water Vole from extinction in Wales. The nature conservation charity Wild Cymru have been undertaking research and conservation efforts to learn more about the threats Water Voles face in upland Wales and what can be done about them.
Description
The upland landscape of the Rhondda and Afan Valleys in South Wales has long been known for its wild and captivating atmosphere. Today, thanks to the work of Wild Cymru, partner organisations and local volunteers we now know that this landscape also supports populations of the UK’s fastest declining mammal species – the Water Vole.
Water Voles have witnessed one of the most dramatic population crashes of any mammal species in Wales. Upland habitats such as bogs, mires and moorland offer a unique opportunity for Water Vole conservation in Wales. Although upland habitats are often sub-optimal in quality, their relative safety from American Mink, coupled with their extent and connectivity, make these regions of Wales crucial in the fight to save Water Voles from extinction. In our project area of the Glamorgan uplands the Wild Cymru team, along with local volunteers and students have been able to survey over 70 sites for Water Voles and recorded their presence in 26 of them. This level of positive sites scattered over such a large area means that the Glamorgan uplands are now considered one of the most significant landscapes for Water Voles in Wales. Despite the good news, the project has also found that Water Voles face a barrage of new and existing threats whilst in these upland landscapes, most notably the increasing presence and occupation of American Mink.
Rob Parry is the CEO of Wild Cymru, and he has over 25 years of volunteering and working in the nature conservation sector in Wales. He has been involved in Water Vole conservation for many years and has undertaken landscape conservation projects for the species
Prior Knowledge
General knowledge of Water Vole ecology and conservation status and an appreciation of the differences in habitats and conditions in lowland and upland landscapes.
