X Close A further step in the study of the edible .dormouse in the Garrotxa's Volcanic Zone Natural Park
The monitoring of the edible dormouse (Glis glis) in the Garrotxa is consolidated and begins to offer interesting data thanks to the collaboration between the Garrotxa's Volcanic Zone Natural Park (PNZVG), the Dormouse Project of the BiBio (Biodiversity and Bioindicators) research group of the Natural Sciences Museum of Granollers and an enthusiastic group of volunteers. This joint effort has made it possible to launch a long-term study that is providing information on this small rodent in the Garrotxa.
The project started in the Garrotxa in April 2022, with the installation of 24 nest boxes distributed in four basic stations, each one formed by 6 nest boxes without manipulation of the individuals. In April 2024, a step forward was taken with two key actions: the transformation of one of the basic stations into an advanced station (with 20 nest boxes and including manipulation) and the creation of a new basic station with 6 more nest boxes. With all this, the 2024 monitoring has included 44 nest boxes distributed in five stations in the Garrotxa territory, including different habitats such as monospecific beech and oak forests.
This third year of sampling has been particularly fruitful. In two of the monitoring stations, individuals of dormice have been observed, and in one of them it has been possible to detect the presence of a female with young. In addition, the new basic station created this year has provided very interesting data, with the detection of feces and the beginning of a nest in one of the boxes, a great success for the first year of sampling. On the other hand, the new advanced station has allowed us to identify more than 10 different adult individuals. This increased monitoring effort provides valuable data that will help to better understand the population dynamics of the dormouse.
In summary, 3 of the 5 monitoring stations have recorded edible dormouse activity. With these encouraging results, the Garrotxa project team is looking forward to the next campaign starting in June 2025.
We would especially like to thank all the people who have contributed to the project over the years, either by participating in the field voluntarily or by offering support in other ways. If you would like to learn more about the Dormouse Project or get actively involved in La Garrotxa, please do not hesitate to get in touch through the PNZVG or the dormice.org platform.
The Dormouse Project is coordinated by the research group BiBio (Biodiversity and Bioindicators) of the Museum of Natural Sciences of Granollers with the support of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Diputació de Barcelona.
Return
Contact | Legal notes | Credits | Subscripció al butlletí
