The value of protected areas ranger service personnel for biodiversity monitoring: case study in Paklenica National Park (Croatia)

To preserve the long-term survival of habitats and wildlife, it is necessary to monitor their status. In protected areas, that is, biodiversity centres, rangers have excellent knowledge of specific locations and they spend a large amount of time in the field. But since rangers are not required to have a university degree, the question is whether they can be an added value in baseline survey monitoring. To investigate this issue, a case study was conducted in the Paklenica National Park (Paklenica NP), Croatia, using camera trapping survey between 2011 and 2016 at 22 camera sites. The aims of this survey were (1) to collect baseline data of mammalian diversity, (2) to analyse the regulatory effect of top predators on the trophic pyramid through top–down effects and (3) to estimate the data gathered by ranger service from the Paklenica NP. Data gathered through this study represents the first peer-reviewed list of medium- to large-sized mammals for Paklenica NP, as up till now, there is no peer-reviewed published paper of Paklenica NP mammalian diversity. Results showed that the recorded top predator–mesopredator–prey ratios were concordant with the trophic pyramid hypothesis. Also, as it was expected according to the literature, species richness indices were higher when top predators were present. On analysing the costs for conducting camera trapping survey by external and internal services, a significant difference was observed. Internal rangers’ cost was nine times lower than the external service cost. Future research run by rangers needs to be conducted in way to capture all mammalian biodiversity. Therefore, we propose camera trapping methodology for rangers in the protected areas since this may be an invaluable tool for biodiversity monitoring

Monitoring of Large Mammals on Velebit Mountain During 2018 and 2019

Tijekom posljednjih trideset godina fotozamke su se razvile u najvažniju neinvazivnu metodu praćenja divljih životinja. Pravilno postavljanje, odabir lokacija i odgovarajućih postavki fotozamki uvelike utječu na količinu i kvalitetu prikupljenih podataka te na završne analize. Cilj ovog rada bio je uspostaviti sustav praćenja velikih vrsta sisavaca na području Velebita i optimizirati metodologiju. Tijekom 2018. i 2019. godine na ukupno 64 lokacije na Velebitu postavljene su fotozamke koje su bile aktivne 8068 dana. U ukupno 4444 događaja zabilježeno je 6912 pojedinačnih životinja, koje pripadaju u 23 divlje vrste te pet vrsta domaćih životinja. Zabilježene su sve vrste velikih sisavaca prethodno opisane na području Velebita. Potvrđeno je da su šumske ceste i životinjski putovi odgovarajuće lokacije za praćenje velikih sisavaca te da su životinje najviše aktivne u razdoblju od lipnja do rujna.Over the last 30 years, camera traps have become the most important non-invasive tool for monitoring wildlife. Proper placement, location selection and suitable camera settings greatly affect the quantity and quality of data collected, and therefore the final results. The objective of this research was to establish the monitoring of large mammals on Velebit mountain with camera traps and to optimize the methodology used. During 2018 and 2019, camera traps were set at 64 different locations on Velebit and were active for 8068 days. In total of 4444 events, there were 6912 different individual animals recorded, of which 23 species were belonging to wildlife and five species of domestic animals. All species of large mammals previously described on Velebit were recorded. We confirmed that forest roads and animal paths are the best locations for monitoring large mammals and that animals are the most active in the period from June to September

How many lynxes live on Velebit?

Euroazijski ris (Lynx lynx) jedna je od najugroženijih vrsta sisavaca u Hrvatskoj, a populacija je danas pred izumiranjem zbog posljedica parenja u srodstvu. Cilj je našega istraživanja bio utvrditi minimalan broj risova prisutnih na području Velebita jer je taj podatak nužan za učinkovito upravljanje i zaštitu populacije. Istraživanje je provedeno na području Parka prirode Velebit i Nacionalnog parka Paklenica, gdje su od 20. ožujka 2018. do 21. ožujka 2019. postavljene 54 fotozamke. Tijekom 6141 dana aktivnosti zabilježeno je 85 događaja na kojima je ris. Dobivene fotografije međusobno su uspoređene i identificirano je 16 jedinki, od kojih su u njih šest poznate obje strane tijela, u pet samo lijeva, a u pet samo desna strana tijela. Prema dobivenim rezultatima u Parku prirode Velebit i Nacionalnom parku Paklenica obitava minimalno 13 do 18 odraslih risova.The Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) is one of the most endangered mammals in Croatia. Today the population is on the brink of extinction due to the severe inbreeding. The aim of our research was to determine the minimal number of lynxes in Velebit Nature park and Paklenica National Park, since this information is necessary for the effective management and protection of the species. In the period from 20.03.2018 until 21.03.2019 a total of 54 camera traps were active in the research area. Over 6141 days, lynxes were recorded in 85 events. The photographs were compared to each other and individual lynxes were identified. We identified 16 individuals, of which for six lynxes we had photos of both sides of the body, for five individuals of the left side only and for five individuals only photos of the right side. According to the data collected, the estimated minimal number of lynxes in the area of Velebit Nature Park and Paklenica National Park is between 13 and 18 individuals