Population Control

Sometimes wildlife populations can exceed the sustainability of their habitat which can lead to associated problems such as, overcrowding, starvation, direct affects on other species and even mortality. Therefore, species density needs to be monitored and when it exceeds an acceptable level control measures need to be introduced.

Our services include:

Improvements to maximise opportunities for key species

Undertaken to ensure that the population densities do not decline and every possibility is provided to allow the population levels to increase. An example of this is illustrated in the management regimes for Water voles.

Water voles - one of the most rapid and serious declines among British mammals. The decline is due to population fragmentation and isolation caused by a number of factors, the main ones being habitat loss and inappropriate management, made worse in recent years by an expanding feral American mink population which has accelerated the decline.

Some of the improvement measures for Water voles include:

• The management of bankside vegetation to provide a broad swathe of bankside cover.
• Fencing off the banks to allow natural regeneration of vegetation and prevent poaching by livestock.
  
• Re-profiling steep-sided ditches to provide wet berms and shelves along one or both banks. If Water Vole burrows are already present special measures may be necessary and work should not be undertaken without first seeking expert advice.
  
• A sustained, co-ordinated and strategic mink control programme.

Areas requiring specific control or removal measures

Examples of wildlife management requiring specific control or removal of species will include:

• Woodland management – Which may include the control and removal of rhododendron because it spreads rapidly and regenerates from small fragments of material and poses a real threat to woodland regeneration and biodiversity. The control of grey squirrels to prevent damage to high-value timber crops, prevent damage to property, aid the conservation of red squirrel populations and other features of high biodiversity value.
• Development – which may include conditions regarding the on-site treatment or safe disposal of invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed.
• Rivers and streams – in particular if Himalayan balsam (also known as, Indian balsam ) is present. Control measures should aim to prevent flowering and if this is achieved before seeds are set, eradication is possible in two to three years.
• Pools and lakes – especially if Floating pennywort or Australian swamp stonecrop (also known as, New Zealand pigmyweed) are present. Both grow vigorously all year round and out-competes native vegetation. If left untreated they will eventually destroy the pool.
• Conservation - Mink have a significant impact on water vole populations and it is necessary to introduce a mink control program to reduce the impact on water vole populations.
• Amenity and Commercial – Landowners, recreation centres, golf courses and farmers may implement mole control programs. Although often not seen, the results of a mole’s tunneling can cause a lot of damage in gardens, amenity areas and in agriculture. For farmers, contamination of grass by soil from molehills can affect the quality of silage being produced, and there is a risk of damaging grass-cutting machinery. Mole runs may also disturb roots and adversely affect plant growth.
• Control of species that are hazardous to health – Such as Giant hogweed. The stems, edges and undersides of the leaves bear small hairs containing poisonous sap, and the slightest touch causes painful blistering and severe skin irritation.
  

All control measures are site specific and will vary according to species, relevant legislation and the location of your site. BlueSky Environmental Solutions will provide you with a tailor made solution to determine which measures will be most suitable for you. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.