Does the method of set‐aside establishment affect its use by wood mice?

The set-aside scheme, whereby land is removed from arable production, is primarily aimed at manipulating agricultural surplus within the European Community, but has potentially great consequences for biodiversity and wildlife management (Feber et al., 1995; Macdonald et al., 1998; Sotherton 1998). Managed inappropriately, set-aside could prove environmentally damaging by reducing biodiversity and directly harming certain species, such as ground-nesting birds (Thompson, 1993). Conversely, appropriately managed set-aside could foster desirable ecological communities, with enhanced populations and biodiversity.