Yorkshire scientists studying biofuel ‘link’ to decline in British hare numbers

Fast-growing elephant grass is increasingly cultivated by farmers, but there is concern it could deprive hares, which are already under pressure from modern farming methods, of even more habitat.

Experts from the University of Hull are studying the impact of fields of miscanthus – which can grow to nearly 7ft high – on hares by tracking the creatures over the coming year in North Yorkshire. Radio collars are being put on the creatures in an area where miscanthus is grown.

Researcher Dr Silviu Petrovan, from the Centre for Environmental and Marine Sciences, said: “Hares might even be attracted to miscanthus areas once it has been harvested.

“However, as the crop grows it might have an important deterrent effect because it will push these animals out from these areas.”

Over the past century the number of hares has fallen around 80 per cent, destruction of habitat and changes in agricultural methods thought to be the main cause of their decline. Hares feed on a variety of grasses and will feed on arable crops when young.

The Government is subsidising farmers to plant biofuel crops to help meet renewable energy targets, but with a target of 350,000 hectares of land producing biomass crops by 2020, the landscape will undergo significant change.

Dr Petrovan said: “The hare is very much an open area species but it does need good cover which can come from small blocks of woodland, hedgerows and tall vegetation.

“Miscanthus could actually provide very good cover in areas of intensive agriculture but it might be that miscanthus doesn’t provide hares with suitable foraging conditions so they would spend all their time outside the areas looking for suitable food.”

Funding is coming from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.