water voles r code.pdf

This study investigated microhabitat preferences of reintroduced European water voles (Arvicola amphibius) at Trelusback Farm, Cornwall, UK, aiming to provide insights into habitat suitability for future reintroduction efforts. Water voles, emblematic of declining species facing extinction threats, were reintroduced to Trelusback Farm as part of rewilding conservation strategies. Utilizing post-release monitoring, I assessed abiotic (bank height, water depth) and biotic (vegetation abundance, alpha species richness, vegetation height) characteristics of microhabitats to delineate present (water vole-occupied) and absent (non-occupied) sites. Voles exhibited a preference for an abundance of herbaceous vegetation as well as elevated banks, and controversially swathes of shorter vegetation at riparian edges. These findings underscore the importance of multifaceted habitat attributes in guiding reintroduction success.