Landfill habitat restoration can reduce the incidence of vertebrate pest species

Abstract

We monitored over one annual cycle the abundance of vertebrate species in three landfills, one of them still in use and the other two abandoned since 2004. We found that the presence of vertebrate pest species or their abundance was lower in the abandoned landfills than in the one in use. Restoration actions and habitat management in sealed up landfills can reduce pest incidence and related damage or health risks in the surrounding habitats or urban areas.