Assessing the effects of habitat loss and deterioration on a red
squirrel translocation site; insights for future conservation
management.
Abstract
Translocations, a conservation tool used to conserve and restore
dwindling species, are often associated with high failure rates.
Inadequate long-term monitoring of both populations and their
introduction sites beyond the initial years post-translocation creates a
gap in our understanding of the factors that determine translocation
success or failure, resulting in less informed projects in the future.
This lack of long-term monitoring is partly caused by the absence of a
well-defined framework by which the success of the translocation can be
measured, leading to premature and sometimes inaccurate assessments of
their outcome. We investigated the long-term outcome of a red squirrel
translocation in the west of Ireland, specifically assessing the habitat
changes in the translocation site since the introduction in 2005, and
their impact on carrying capacity. Using digitised historical map data,
we showed that the translocation site experienced a 53% reduction in
suitable habitat. Additionally, there was a 41-81% reduction in the red
squirrel carrying capacity of the forest, according to feeding survey
data. Clear-felling, a forest fire and a shift in tree species
composition collectively contributed to this decline in site
suitability. This investigation underscores the complexity of
translocation projects and emphasises the pivotal role of habitat
quality in their outcomes. We advocate for detailed habitat assessments
during the planning phase, avoidance of unstable habitats as
translocation sites, and the implementation of long-term monitoring
practices.