Survival of Eurasian lynx in the human‐dominated landscape of Europe

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 14, 2025

Abstract Survival and cause‐specific mortality rates are vital for evidence‐based population forecasting conservation, particularly large carnivores, whose populations often vulnerable to human‐caused mortalities. It is therefore important know the relationship between anthropogenic natural causes evaluate whether they additive or compensatory. Further, relation survival environmental covariates could reveal specific landscape characteristics influence demographic performance. We used telemetry data on 681 Eurasian lynx ( Lynx ), a model apex predator with spatial requirements, that were tracked across their European distribution. Through time‐to‐event analyses, we sought determine variables associated differences in survival. Illegal killing was main cause of (33.8%), similar protected hunted (8.6% 7.0% per year, respectively). varied greatly (70–95% year). Across all study sites, higher hunting partially compensated by lower other but not alone. Variation depended sex (female 1.5 times greater than male survival) seasonality (highest risk during season winter), correlated human modification landscapes at both coarse (home range composition) fine (habitat use within home range) scales. Some variation driven unobserved factors, which, given high mortalities, including illegal killing, foremost concern. Due low populations, conclude likely close additive, such maintaining increasing refuge habitat little disturbance critical conservation.

Language: Английский

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Hunter‐engaged monitoring of the Eurasian lynx during the reinforcement process

Wildlife Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 18, 2025

Collaborative wildlife monitoring programs involving citizen scientists are an efficient approach for surveying large areas. In Europe, hunters play important role in and act as crucial stakeholders carnivore conservation. The Eurasian lynx Lynx , elusive felid, is a species of conservation concern Europe. Slovenia, was exterminated later reintroduced 1973, but the population has declined during past decades. A reinforcement program initiated 2017, translocating from Carpathian to improve status critically endangered Dinaric population. coupled with intensive program, local key participants. this study, we show how collaboration between managers, researchers resulted robust assessment at national level period five years. Questionnaires distributed hunting clubs chance observations were used define expected distribution, guide extent systematic camera trapping surveys, 63 101 each year. southern core population, density doubled (from 0.66 1.30 lynx/100 km 2 ). north‐western Slovenia where stepping‐stone Alps established 2021, number increased seven. Furthermore, all three translocated females reproduced, which represents first confirmed reproduction Slovenian over 150 We discuss motivation behind hunters' contribution data collection process implications collaboration. highlight importance maintaining their support This study serves example large‐scale collaborative recovering undergoing measures promising results, scientists.

Language: Английский

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Functional connectivity and the current arrangement of protected areas show multiple, poorly protected dispersal corridors for the Eurasian lynx

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291, P. 110498 - 110498

Published: Feb. 19, 2024

Landscape connectivity is essential for the conservation of large carnivores, particularly in highly fragmented landscapes. Despite was nearing extinction, Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) recovers Europe, owing to reintroduction projects that have re-established several subpopulations. However, some these subpopulations are small and isolated, possibly incurring into reduced genetic diversity. To establish a functional metapopulation facilitating movements crucial, modeling could support identification optimal solutions connect Here, we assessed habitat current future scenarios, between European subpopulations, applying two different approaches, namely Circuit theory-based least-cost path techniques. Moreover, evaluated potential Protected Areas (EPAs) form an ecological network able Our results show connections occur Jura, Alpine, Bohemian-Bavarian-Austrian (BBA), Dinaric populations, while Balkan less connected. Carpathian population has act as source BBA subpopulation, if properly We report that, currently, only 21 % crucial corridors covered by EPAs, those often disturbed human infrastructures. High among EPAs occurs Central Eastern Carpathian, Alpine unprotected areas appear BBA, Baltic, Balkans subpopulation. enhance connections, test Agenda 2030 goals, find management actions focusing on dispersal corridors, also proving transboundary cooperation pivotal.

Language: Английский

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Making better use of tracking data can reveal the spatiotemporal and intraspecific variability of species distributions

Ecography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 5, 2024

Understanding geographic ranges and species distributions is crucial for effective conservation, especially in the light of climate land use change. However, spatial, temporal intraspecific resolution digital accessible information on often limited. Here, we suggest to make better high‐resolution tracking data address existing limitations occurrence records such as spatial biases (e.g. lack observations parts range), during a certain period year), insufficient variability population‐ or individual‐level variation). Addressing these gaps can improve our knowledge ranges, intra‐annual changes distributions, population‐level differences habitat space use. We demonstrate this with distribution models (SDMs) barnacle goose, migratory bird wintering western Europe breeding Arctic. Our analyses show that 1) supplement from Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) remote areas European Russian Arctic, 2) wintering, staging 3) be used reveal patterns at population level. recommend broader Wallacean shortfall (i.e. incomplete species) forecasts biodiversity responses change vulnerability assessments). To avoid common pitfalls, provide six recommendations consideration research cycle when using modelling, including steps assess integrate modelling approaches.

Language: Английский

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Supporting Reintroduction Planning: A Framework Integrating Habitat Suitability, Connectivity and Individual‐Based Modelling. A Case Study With the Eurasian Lynx in the Apennines

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim Reintroducing carnivores is a widely used approach to restore the natural integrity of ecosystems. Species distribution models (SDMs) and connectivity analyses are valuable tools for planning reintroductions identifying release sites but rarely combined. We propose new framework combining SDMs, modelling individual‐based (IBMs) assess feasibility various reintroduction scenarios. As case study, we applied this plan potential Eurasian lynx ( Lynx ) Apennines by: (i) assessing niche overlap between source target populations; (ii) integrating habitat suitability select (iii) evaluating outcomes through IBMs. Location Apennines, Peninsular Italy. Methods combined analysis, ensembles fine‐tuned SDMs circuit‐theory techniques model connectivity. Then, integrated predictions within GIS environment identify optimal under different Finally, IBMs population viability, site occupancy dispersal. Results Niche suggested that Carpathian populations may serve as valid source. Integrating highlighted most functional in Central (CA) Northern (NA). A scenario with individuals released both CA NA did not outperform single‐area Releasing only showed long‐term higher risk isolation, while would result viable long term, despite closer proximity suitable areas Alps. Main Conclusions Our can help practitioners selection species reintroductions. recommend incorporating demography, well dispersal settlement phases, when This identifies critical mortality areas, predicts size, enhances decision‐making successful

Language: Английский

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Ecological Feasibility of Eurasian Lynx Reintroduction to England, Scotland, and Wales

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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