SPUR Project

2010 winner (5 of 19)

Population dynamics and habitat use in the European hedgehog

Supervisor: Dr Richard Yarnell (Environmental Science)

European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) populations in the United Kingdom have recently undergone a decline and consequently hedgehogs have been included as a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species in the UK. The project will focus on the influence of weather conditions on hedgehog survival and foraging efficiency in populations at Nottingham Trent University's Brackenhurst campus. The SPUR student will collect information on density and habitat preferences of the local population by conducting hedgehog surveys and employing mark recapture techniques and radio-tracking. To determine how weather conditions influence prey availability and consumption, hedgehogs will be followed and weighed periodically during periods of wet and dry weather. The results of this study will provide valuable insights into how predicted future climate change may influence hedgehog populations in the future. The overall aim is to provide experimental evidence on factors affecting hedgehog density and provide management solutions to help prevent population decline.