AN interactive map tool is being used to protect "one of the UK’s most threatened mammals" in the face of rapid urban expansion.
Researchers from the University of Glasgow, together with partners from Glasgow City Council, NatureScot and Seven Lochs Wetland Park have produced a digital tool to help identify and protect the habitats of wildlife native to green spaces in and around Glasgow that are up for development, to safeguard a "nationally significant" water vole species.
The groups behind the project say that although city regeneration and expansion are important for Glasgow, this must not come at a cost to endangered wildlife, in particular the Arvicola Amphibius, the European water vole that is native to the dry grass lands that surround Glasgow.
The aim of this interactive tool is to identify these habitats, which can then inform decisions of expansion and ensure green spaces home to species like the water vole are sustainably maintained.
This project will act as a framework for the creation of similar tools that aim to reduce the negative effects of further urban development and encourage biodiversity.
This interactive map is already informing water vole conservation in North East Glasgow and the Seven Lochs Wetland Park.
Luca Nelli, lead author of the study from the University of Glasgow, said: “With our work we wanted to develop a user-friendly tool for conservation, that can be used by planners to inform ecological decision making, increase biodiversity and reduce human-wildlife conflict in urban environments.
“This model will be used to inform management of water voles, balance the legal protection of this species, maintain green amenity space for local people, and to inform the planning of building and infrastructure for the socio-economic development of affected areas.”
Catherine Scott, co-author of the study from Glasgow City Council, also praised this conservation work.
She said: “The unique population of urban grassland water voles in Glasgow is a huge biodiversity success. However, it does also present new unique challenges and the Council always welcomes partnership working with a range of organisations for new and emerging issues."
Scott states that this research will provide further guidance for helping to balance the needs of biodiversity and those of the city’s, as green spaces can be a space for families to enjoy.
Nida Al-Fulaij, conservation research manager at Peoples’ Trust for Endangered Species, said: “Thankfully, this important work, by the team in Glasgow, will ensure that the city’s water voles are taken into consideration as urban regeneration takes place.”
Lyndsey Kinnes, NatureScot operations manager in Strathclyde & Ayrshire, added: “We are pleased to see the new tools being used to help create a habitat network for Glasgow’s urban water vole population as part of wider urban regeneration projects for the area.
“The work by the University of Glasgow is an important step in ensuring that this significant and unique population continues to thrive in the city alongside people.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here