Small mammals can be found in SRC, SRF and Miscanthus plantations

Research has shown that energy crops are popular with mammalian species. A minimum of ten species have been observed in SRC plantations, including:

  • Voles
  • Shrews
  • Mice
  • Stoats
  • Bats
  • Hares

Many small mammal species are highly threatened – voles and bats particularly. Energy crop plantations have been shown to provide beneficial habitats for mammals such as these, which in turn, provide food for owls. As with birdlife, the best way of promoting mammal biodiversity is to continue with development of hedgerows and margins around energy crops.

This vole was collected from an SRC Willow copse.

Wood mice are common in energy crops 

This willow stem has been damaged by deer scent-marking, but the coppice will continue to grow, so the loss is minimal.