Species diversity and composition of small mammal communities in Goteniška gora (S Slovenia)

Although a considerable improvement in knowledge about small mammal fauna in Slovenia has been noted over the past 30 years, the group is still understudied. Here we present results of the nine-year trapping and information on abundance and community assemblage of small mammals of Goteniška gora, a mountain in southern Slovenia. Trappings were conducted every September from 2002 to 2010. Traps were set in different habitats, ranging from open-space meadows and stony karst areas to dense fir-beech forests (Abieti-Fagetum dinaricum). At least 12 different species constituted local communities, mostly resembling central European deciduous and mixed forest communities. Some representatives of Alpine small mammal communities and a Pleistocene relict were also present

Prvi podatek o pojavljanju šakala (Canis aureus) v Savinjski dolini (S Slovenia)

The article presents the record of an adult female golden jackal (Canis aureus) accidentally shot in 2005 near Gornji Grad in the Upper Savinja Valley, Northern Slovenia (UTM VM82, 980 m a.s.l.). Although this individual was most likely a vagrant, it indicates that golden jackals may soon, or perhaps already have, established permanent territories in Slovenia. Further studies are necessary to determine the status and distribution of this protected species in Slovenia, as well as public awareness actions, especiallyamong hunters, in order to avoid additional accidents at hunting

Topografske in vegetacijske značilnosti mest, kjer so risi uplenili svoj plen v Dinaridih v Sloveniji

We report on topographical and vegetational characteristics of 13 sites where Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx killed its prey in the Dinaric mountain range in Slovenia. The results suggest that lynx does not necessarily need dense vegetation and rugged terrain to successfully hunt its prey, however, it may influence its hunting success. A large part of the successful hunts took placeon steep slopes and rugged terrain. 39% of kill sites were located in dolines, implying the potential importance of these karst structures for the hunting of large carnivores on ungulates in karst areas such as Dinaric Mountains.Preučili smo topografske in vegetacijske značilnosti na 13 lokalitetah, kjer so evrazijski risi (Lynx lynx) uplenili svoj plen na območju Dinaridov v Sloveniji. Rezultati so pokazali, da lahko risi uplenijo svoj plen tudi na mestih brez goste vegetacije in razgibanega terena, vendar pa večja možnost kritja verjetno lahko vpliva na njegov lovni uspeh. Velik del uspešnih poskusov lova je potekal na strmih pobočjih in na razgibanem terenu. 39% mest uplenitev je bilo ugotovljenih v vrtačah, kar kaže na potencialni pomen le-tehpri lovu velikih zveri na parkljarje na kraških območjih, kot so Dinaridi

The reintroduced Dinaric lynx population dynamics in PVA simulation

In the study, we modelled population dynamics of the reintroduced Dinaric lynx population. We used data obtained by monitoring to estimate population dynamics–spatial expansion, abundance estimates, and mortalities–since the reintroduction in 1973 and up to the present day, and then looked for demographic and habitat parameters that would provide the best fit of a lynx population model to this data. We tried to evaluate the importance of these parameters for future population dynamics and viability (PVA) of this lynx population. We constructed a number of 100-year simulations using a range of demographic parameters, different prey availabilities and simulating other potential human related factors that might affect the lynx population. We found that there introduced lynx population must have had high fecundity rates with more than1.6 kittens survived per female and per litter to reach abundances over 100 individuals despite the high human related mortality. The elasticity analysis revealed that adult survival is by far the most important demographic parameter for the lynx population dynamics. PVA highlighted two important factors that had a major impact on population growth dynamics and related risk of population extinction: changes in  the survival rates of subadult and adult individuals and, especially, the quality of habitat with regard to prey availability. Survival rates of subadult and adult lynx are directly influenced by human activities, mainly manifested through illegal shooting, and are difficult to control. Quite opposite to that, the quality of habitat with regard to prey availability can be directly influenced through management. Since habitat quality can have a significant role for the lynx population dynamic and viability, even in presence of minor, difficult to control changes in survival rates of subadults and adults, adequate prey species management might be one of the most important short-term conservation prioritie

Characteristics of spatial use and importance of landscape features for recovering populations of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx)

Following the extirpation from Central and Southeastern Europe by the end of the 19th  century, Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) was reintroduced in the Alps and Dinarics. The recovering population sizes fluctuated over the years; however, they remained relatively small and isolated since their distribution after the establishment has not significantly expanded by natural colonization. One of the most radical changes to the landscape of Europe over the past centuries has been the creation of vast urban and agricultural areas and subsequent extension of infrastructure, causing increasingly fragmented landscape, especially for weak dispersers like lynx. There is a pressing need to establish greater connectivity between the genetically isolated populations, particularly throughout the Alps and Dinarics, to achieve a viable metapopulation structure. In the paper, we review scientific knowledge on Eurasian lynx spatial requirements and behaviour, and critically evaluate the methods used. Apart from habitat suitability and connectivity studies, we also provide a review of lynx home range sizes and movement activity, including dispersion. We present habitat suitability model constructed to examine suitable habitat for recovering Dinaric - SE Alpine population and compare home range sizes of lynx from Dinarics in Slovenia with other lynx populations in Europe. Future considerations for lynx conservation should include the impact of climate change, protection of corridor areas, reducing impact of barriers and, if needed, “complement” dispersal via translocations to achieve viable pan-European lynx metapopulation in the future

#The #role of human-related risk in breeding site selection by wolves

Large carnivores can be found in different scenarios of cohabitation with humans. Behavioral adaptations to minimize risk from humans are expected to be exacerbated where large carnivores are most vulnerable, such as at breeding sites. Using wolves as a model species, along with data from 26 study areas across the species´ worldwide range, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the role of humans in breeding site selection by a large carnivore. Some of the patterns previously observed at the local scale can be extrapolated to the entire species range provided that important sources of variation are taken into account. Generally, wolves minimised the risk of exposure at breeding sites by avoiding human-made structures, selecting shelter from vegetation and avoiding agricultural lands. Our results suggest a scaled hierarchical habitat selection process across selection orders by which wolves compensate higher exposure risk to humans within their territories via a stronger selection at breeding sites. Dissimilar patterns between continents suggest that adaptations to cope with human-associated risks are modulated by the history of coexistence and persecution. Although many large carnivores able to persist in human-dominated landscapes do not require large-scale habitat preservation, habitat selection at levels below occupancy and territory should be regarded in management and conservation strategies aiming to preserve these species in such contexts. In this case, we recommend providing shelter from human interference where possible to provide necessary breeding habitat

Stanje in razširjenost evrazijskega risa (Lynx lynx) v Sloveniji v obdobju 2005-2009

In Slovenia, the status of the re-introduced Eurasian lynx population is monitored using the SCALP (Status and Conservation of Alpine Lynx Populations)methodology. Monitoring is organized by the Slovenia Forest Service in cooperation with other institutions and individuals. We analysed the data for the 2005-2009 monitoring period and compared it with the previousperiods to explore population status and trends for the northern part of the Dinaric population. During this last pentad we recorded six C1 categorydata points, 832 data points of category C2, and 96 points of categoryC3. These numbers are comparable to the previously reported period of 2000-2004. The spatial distribution of signs of lynx presence remained similarcompared to the previous period. Presence and status of the lynx are easier to interpret because of additional telemetry data and a habitat suitability that has been produced since the last report. We assume that this lynx population is critically endangered, because of demographic as well as genetic reasons. To prevent local extinction, an active approach is needed forrevitalization of the population which would address demographic factors aswell as improve the depleted gene pool.V Sloveniji poteka monitoring prisotnosti introducirane populacije evrazijskega risa na osnovi SCALP metodologije v organizaciji Zavoda za Gozdove Slovenije ob sodelovanju drugih inštitucij in posameznikov. Z analizo podatkov in primerjavo s preteklimi obdobji podajamo stanje in trend severnegadela dinarske populacije. V petletnem obdobju 2005-2009 je bilo zabeleženih 6 podatkov C1832 C2 in 96 C3 kategorije, kar je podobno kot v preteklem obdobju 2000-2004. Tudi prostorsko so podatki podobno razporejeni poSloveniji. Predstava o prisotnosti in statusu risa se dopolnjuje s podatki radiotelemetričnega spremljanja in modelom primernega prostora, ki je bil izdelan v zadnjem petletnem obdobju. Predvidevamo, da je populacija kritično ogrožena tako zaradi demografskih kakor tudi genetskih razlogov. Za uspešno varstvo bo treba aktivno pristopiti k revitalizaciji populacije tako s popolnjevanjem in varovanjem demografske in spolne strukture kakor tudi reševanjem osiromašenega genskega sklada

Status and distribution of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Slovenia from 2005 to 2009

In Slovenia, the status of the re-introduced Eurasian lynx population is monitored using the SCALP (Status and Conservation of Alpine Lynx Populations) methodology. Monitoring is organized by the Slovenia Forest Service in cooperation with other institutions and individuals. We analysed the data for the 2005–2009 monitoring period and compared it with the previous periods to explore population status and trends for the northern part of the Dinaric population. During this last pentad we recorded six C1 category data points, 832 data points of category C2, and 96 points of category C3. These numbers are comparable to the previously reported period of 2000–2004. The spatial distribution of signs of lynx presence remained similar compared to the previous period. Presence and status of the lynx are easier to interpret because of additional telemetry data and a habitat suitability that has been produced since the last report. We assume that this lynx population is critically endangered, because of demographic as well as genetic reasons. To prevent local extinction, an active approach is needed for revitalization of the population which would address demographic factors as well as improve the depleted gene pool