Browsing intensity as an index of ungulate density across multiple spatial scales

Large herbivores can profoundly influence terrestrial ecosystems. Through browsing, for example, they can impact forest regeneration with consequences for both plant and animal species. Understanding the drivers of ungulate browsing is therefore crucial from a conservation and management standpoint. Browsing is generally thought to be affected by ungulate density, such that increased density leads to greater browsing probability. As a result, browsing has been suggested as an indicator of ungulate density. While most studies investigated long-term browsing impact of ungulates in single study areas, few of them focused on different spatial scales using multiple replications in time and space. In this study we took advantage of 25 years of browsing data within the Stelvio National Park (central Italian Alps) derived from several populations of red deer and modelled the ratio of browsing on conifers (calculated as browsed conifers divided by total number of conifers) as a function of two different density indices at different spatial scales and a set of environmental covariates. Specifically, we investigated whether variations in red deer density at different spatial scales reflect variations in browsing probability. The results suggest that as deer density increased, the ratio of browsing increased at all spatial scales, at times mediated by shrub species diversity. Density was a consistent driver of browsing probability within all deer populations, while the effect of confounding variables was statistically unclear as they yielded conflicting results for the different populations, failing to find common patterns. This study highlights that density at different spatial scale is an important predictor of browsing probability, suggesting that browsing could be a reliable indicator of variations in ungulate density. In turn, as browsing can map small- and large-scale density variations, pattern of browsing impact may be a useful tool to investigate small- and large-scale changes in red deer densities due to disturbance factors such as human activities or the presence of large predators

Status and distribution of the lynx (Lynx lynx) in the Italian Alps 2005\u20132009

To assess the status of lynx we analysed lynx signs of presence within the range of the Italian Alps from 2005 to 2009. A total of 268 signs have been collected, compared to 411 signs during the previous pentad. The distribution of the confirmed signs of lynx presence is confined to three concise areas: the North-eastern Alps of Friuli VG, the Trentino province and the Ossola valley in the Piedmont region. Occupancy modelling revealed a decrease of the lynx range by one third: The estimated number of occupied 100 km2 cells decreased from 34 (pentad: 2000\u20132004) to 21 (pentad: 2005\u20132009). Less than 10% of the Italian Alps are colonized. We estimated the number of lynx present in all the Italian Alps at less than 15 individuals. Therefore, the persistence of lynx in the Italian Alps highly depends on immigration from neighbouring countries

Status of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the Italian Alps: an overview 2000–2004

To assess the status of lynx we analysed lynx signs of presence within the Ital- ian Alps from 2000–2004. A total of 411 signs of lynx presence have been collected, compared to 261 signs during the previous pentad. Lynx tracks were the most frequent sign of presence, followed by prey remains and direct observations. Livestock depredation has so far not been a problem in Italy. Most of the presence signs (84%) are still concentrated in the Eastern Italian Alps in Friuli V.G. and the province of Belluno. A few confirmed lynx signs of presence indicate a recolonisation of the Trentino Alto Adige region. In the western Alps (Piemonte region), most signs of lynx presence are concentrated close to the French border. The number of lynx occurring in Italy is roughly estimated to less than 20 individuals. The population cannot be considered viable and is still depending on immigration from neighboring countries