Study

The effect of supplemental food and cover availability on a population of the striped mouse

  • Published source details Perrin M.R. & Johnson S.J. (1999) The effect of supplemental food and cover availability on a population of the striped mouse. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 29, 15-18.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Provide supplementary food to increase reproduction/survival

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Provide supplementary food to increase reproduction/survival

    A controlled study in 1995 on a grassland in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Perrin & Johnson 1999) found that providing supplementary food increased striped mouse Rhabdomys pumilio density and the proportion of the population that was breeding. Three to six months after feeding began, there were more striped mice in the plot with supplementary food (30) than in the plot with no supplementary food (21). Over the same time period, a higher proportion of adult mice were reproductively active in the plot with supplementary food (85%) than in the plot with no supplementary food (38%). In one of two plots (>60 m apart) 25 trays, each with 1 kg of oat seeds, were filled weekly. The second plot had no supplementary food. In each plot, mice were monitored at 49 stations, in a 7 × 7 grid, at 10-m intervals. Each station was surveyed for two consecutive nights/month with one baited and insulated Elliot or Sherman live trap, from January–June 1995.

    (Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust