1
|
Delcourt J, Hambuckers A, Vangeluwe D, Poncin P. Fifty years of spring censuses in black grouse ( Lyrurus tetrix) in the High Fens (Belgium): did the rabies vaccination has a negative impact on a fox prey population? EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023; 69:24. [PMID: 36789286 PMCID: PMC9911939 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-023-01642-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Since 2017, a reinforcement programme was developed to save the last, endangered, Belgian population of black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), in the High Fens Natural Park. To improve the success of this programme, an analysis of past data of this population was undertaken to understand the causes of its past decline. A time series analysis was applied, using annual spring male census data recorded between 1967 and 2016. In the period 1967-1993, there was a fluctuation around an equilibrium of a population of ca. 40-45 males. The peak of 85 males observed in 1971 was probably due to a succession of several favourable years in terms of environmental conditions, albeit without an exceptional annual growth rate. It seems that fox density, by using the occurrence of rabies as a proxy, has an impact on the black grouse population. After 1993, the population dynamic changed drastically, decreasing continuously until finally reaching quasi-extinction. On average, the population lost 15.4% of its size each year. Climate models, applied in previous studies to explain these population trends in the High Fens, failed to describe this major modification in this population's dynamic and its recent decline. We suggest that this negative effect was mainly induced by a significant increase in predation by red fox (Vulpes vulpes), whose abundance has increased considerably since the 1990s, in particular, as a consequence of the eradication of fox rabies. We also discuss alternative hypotheses, such as the impact of other predator species, modification of the natural environment and climatic modifications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10344-023-01642-w.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johann Delcourt
- High Fens Scientific Station (Station Scientifique des Hautes Fagnes), University of Liège, Route de Botrange 137, B-4950 Robertville, Waimes, Belgium ,Behavioural Biology Unit (Prof. P. Poncin), Zoological Institute, University of Liège, Quai Edouard van Beneden 22, B-4020 Liège, Belgium
| | - Alain Hambuckers
- Behavioural Biology Unit (Prof. P. Poncin), Zoological Institute, University of Liège, Quai Edouard van Beneden 22, B-4020 Liège, Belgium
| | - Didier Vangeluwe
- Belgian Ringing Scheme BeBirds, RBINS (IRSNB), Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pascal Poncin
- High Fens Scientific Station (Station Scientifique des Hautes Fagnes), University of Liège, Route de Botrange 137, B-4950 Robertville, Waimes, Belgium ,Behavioural Biology Unit (Prof. P. Poncin), Zoological Institute, University of Liège, Quai Edouard van Beneden 22, B-4020 Liège, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jiménez J, Godinho R, Pinto D, Lopes S, Castro D, Cubero D, Osorio MA, Piqué J, Moreno-Opo R, Quiros P, González-Nuevo D, Hernandez-Palacios O, Kéry M. The Cantabrian capercaillie: A population on the edge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:153523. [PMID: 35104529 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The capercaillie Tetrao urogallus - the world's largest grouse- is a circumboreal forest species, which only two remaining populations in Spain: one in the Cantabrian mountains in the west and the other in the Pyrenees further east. Both have shown severe declines, especially in the Cantabrian population, which has recently been classified as "Critically Endangered". To develop management plans, information on demographic parameters is necessary to understand and forecast population dynamics. We used spatial capture-recapture (SCR) modeling and non-invasive DNA samples to estimate the current population size in the whole Cantabrian mountain range. In addition, for the assessment of population status, we analyzed the population trajectory over the last 42 years (1978-2019) at 196 leks on the Southern slope of the range, using an integrated population model with a Dail-Madsen model at its core, combined with a multistate capture-recapture model for survival and a Poisson regression for productivity. For 2019, we estimate the size of the entire population at 191 individuals (95% BCI 165-222) for an estimated 60 (48-78) females and 131 (109-157) males. Since the 1970s, our study estimates a shrinkage of the population range by 83%. The population at the studied leks in 2019 was at about 10% of the size estimated for 1978. Apparent annual survival was estimated at 0.707 (0.677-0.735), and per-capita recruitment at 0.233 (0.207-0.262), and insufficient to maintain a stable population. We suggest work to improve the recruitment (and survival) and manage these mountain forests for capercaillie conservation. Also, in the future, management should assess the genetic viability of this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Raquel Godinho
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Daniel Pinto
- Fundación Patrimonio Natural de Castilla y León, Cañada Real 306, Edificio Prae, 47007 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Susana Lopes
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Diana Castro
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - David Cubero
- Dirección General de Patrimonio Natural y Política Forestal, Junta de Castilla y León, c/Rigoberto Cortejoso 14, 47014 Valladolid, Spain
| | - M Angeles Osorio
- Servicio Territorial de Medio Ambiente de León, Avda. Peregrinos, s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Josep Piqué
- Tragsatec, c/Julián Camarillo 6B, 28037 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén Moreno-Opo
- Subdirección General de Biodiversidad Terrestre y Marina, Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico, Pza. San Juan de la Cruz 10, 28071 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Quiros
- Dirección General de Medio Natural, Principado de Asturias, c/Trece Rosas, 2, 33005 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Daniel González-Nuevo
- Dirección General de Medio Natural, Principado de Asturias, c/Trece Rosas, 2, 33005 Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Marc Kéry
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Delcourt J, Brochier B, Delvaux D, Vangeluwe D, Poncin P. Fox
Vulpes vulpes
population trends in Western Europe during and after the eradication of rabies. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Johann Delcourt
- Service of Behavioural Biology Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution Institut de Zoologie University of Liège 22 quai van Beneden Liège Belgium
- High Fens Scientific Station (SSHF) Faculty of Sciences University of Liège Route de Botrange 137 4950 SourbrodtBelgium
| | - Bernard Brochier
- Former Head of the National Reference Center for Rabies Service of Viral Diseases, Sciensano 14 Rue Juliette Wytsman 1050 BrusselsBelgium
| | - Dylan Delvaux
- Service of Behavioural Biology Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution Institut de Zoologie University of Liège 22 quai van Beneden Liège Belgium
- High Fens Scientific Station (SSHF) Faculty of Sciences University of Liège Route de Botrange 137 4950 SourbrodtBelgium
| | - Didier Vangeluwe
- Belgian Ringing Scheme BeBirds Operational Directorate Natural Environment Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences 29 rue Vautier 1000 BruxellesBelgium
| | - Pascal Poncin
- Service of Behavioural Biology Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution Institut de Zoologie University of Liège 22 quai van Beneden Liège Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tobajas J, Oliva‐Vidal P, Piqué J, Afonso‐Jordana I, García‐Ferré D, Moreno‐Opo R, Margalida A. Scavenging patterns of generalist predators in forested areas: The potential implications of increase in carrion availability on a threatened capercaillie population. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Tobajas
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC) CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCM Ciudad Real Spain
| | - Pilar Oliva‐Vidal
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC) CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCM Ciudad Real Spain
- Department of Animal Science Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering University of Lleida Lleida Spain
| | | | | | | | - Rubén Moreno‐Opo
- Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico. Pza. San Juan de la Cruz s/n Madrid Spain
| | - Antoni Margalida
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC) CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCM Ciudad Real Spain
- Department of Animal Science Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering University of Lleida Lleida Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Waggershauser CN, Ruffino L, Kortland K, Lambin X. Lethal interactions among forest-grouse predators are numerous, motivated by hunger and carcasses, and their impacts determined by the demographic value of the victims. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:7164-7186. [PMID: 34188804 PMCID: PMC8216895 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
New vertebrate communities are emerging in Europe following the recovery of multiple native predators to highly anthropized landscapes where predator control is still prevalent. While the lack of reference points for these communities creates novel challenges for conservationists and wildlife managers, they also provide opportunities to further our understanding of species interactions. Despite a growing body of evidence, many aspects of interactions among predators remain poorly understood, impairing our ability to anticipate the effects of such changes in predator communities. Through a systematic literature review, we gathered all the available evidence concerning the existence, strength, and demographic impacts of lethal predator interactions among forest-grouse predators in Europe. We found a highly interconnected predator community, with 44 pairwise lethal interactions among 12 taxa. Three of these resulted in some degree of population suppression of the victim, while another three did not. However, most interactions (38) have not been evaluated for population suppression. Additionally, we highlight how predators interact simultaneously with a large range of other predators and identified at least two further taxa possibly suppressed through the combined impacts of multiple predators. We propose that interactions causing demographic suppression are characterized by impacts on individuals with high survival elasticity and that they are motivated by food limitation and additionally, in mammals, by competition for carcasses. Predator interactions, and our still poor understanding of them, introduce large uncertainties to conservation actions based on the management of predator abundances, which should be carefully evaluated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ferguson AJ, Thomson RL, Nelson-Flower MJ, Flower TP. Conditioned food aversion reduces crow nest predation: An improved framework for CFA trials. J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.125970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
7
|
Long-Term Trends of Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) in the Bohemian Forest (Šumava), Czech Republic, 1972–2019. BIRDS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/birds2010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The population dynamics of Hazel Grouse were studied by presence/absence recording at stationary sites along fixed routes (110 km) in the central part of Šumava (Bohemian Forest, Czech Republic) from 1972 to 2019. The 100 km2 study area covered altitudes between 600 m (Rejštejn) and 1253 m above sea level (Mt. Sokol). Our database contained indices of Hazel Grouse occupancy: positive sites/visited sites for a yearly increasing number of Hazel Grouse occurrence sites (n = 134) for 48 years. We used a loglinear Poisson regression method to analyze the long-term population trend for Hazel Grouse in the study area. In the period from 1972 to 2006 we found a stable Hazel Grouse population (p = 0.83). From 2006–2007 to 2019, the population index dropped (−3.8% per year, p < 0.05). This decline is assumed to be influenced by habitat loss due to succession, resulting in older, more open forest stands, by strongly increasing forestry and windstorm “Kyrill”, followed by clear cutting, bark beetle damage, and the removal of pioneer trees in spruce plantations, which diminished buds and catkins, the dominant winter food of Hazel Grouse. The influence of disturbance by increasing tourist activities and/or predation is also discussed. Our results could help to optimize the conservation efforts for Hazel Grouse in the Bohemian Forest.
Collapse
|
8
|
Cukor J, Linda R, Andersen O, Eriksen LF, Vacek Z, Riegert J, Šálek M. Evaluation of Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Predation Risk to Forest Grouse Nests in the Central European Mountain Regions. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020316. [PMID: 33513947 PMCID: PMC7911617 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the spatiotemporal patterns of predation risk on black grouse nests using artificial nests that were monitored by camera traps in mountain areas with a small extant (Ore Mts.) and already extinct (Jeseníky Mts.) black grouse population. The overall predation rate of artificial nests was 56% and we found significant differences in survival rate courses over time between both study areas (68% Ore Mts. vs. 41%, Jeseníky Mts.). Within the time required for successful egg incubation (25 days), nest survival probability was 0.32 in the Ore Mts. and 0.59 in Jeseníky Mts. The stone marten (Martes foina) was the primary nest predator in both study areas (39% in total), followed by common raven (Corvus corax, 25%) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes, 22%). The proportion of depredated nests did not differ between habitat types (i.e., open forest interior, clearing, forest edge), but we recorded the effect of interaction of study area and habitat. In Ore Mts., the main nest predator was common raven with seven records (37%). The Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) was responsible for most predation attempts in Jeseníky Mts. (five records, i.e., 83%), while in the Ore Mts., most predation attempts were done by red fox (six records, i.e., 38%).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Cukor
- Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, v.v.i., Strnady 136, 252 02 Jíloviště, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Rostislav Linda
- Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, v.v.i., Strnady 136, 252 02 Jíloviště, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Oddgeir Andersen
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Lasse Frost Eriksen
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Zdeněk Vacek
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Riegert
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Šálek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 1176, Suchdol, 165 21 Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kämmerle J, Ritchie EG, Storch I. Restricted‐area culls and red fox abundance: Are effects a matter of time and place? CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jim‐Lino Kämmerle
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and ManagementUniversity of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Forest Research Institute of Baden‐Württemberg FVA Freiburg Germany
| | - Euan G. Ritchie
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin University Burwood Victoria Australia
| | - Ilse Storch
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and ManagementUniversity of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Selås V. Annual change in forest grouse in southern Norway: variation explained by temperatures, bilberry seed production and the lunar nodal phase cycle. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vidar Selås
- V. Selås (https://orcid.org/0002-8020-4868) ✉ , Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian Univ. of Life Sciences, PO Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kämmerle JL, Niekrenz S, Storch I. No evidence for spatial variation in predation risk following restricted-area fox culling. BMC Ecol 2019; 19:17. [PMID: 31023268 PMCID: PMC6485072 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-019-0235-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Predation and predator abundance may significantly affect bird populations, especially ground nesting species, because nest predation is often the major cause of nest failure. Predator control by means of culling is frequently employed to benefit threatened prey species or to increase the abundance of small game species for hunting. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes), a generalist mesopredator of global relevance, is a major target of predator control. Commonly, in central Europe, red fox culling efforts intended to benefit prey species remain restricted to small areas. It is unclear, however, whether such restricted-area culling effectively lowers predation risk at a site or whether red fox abundance is more important than culling in shaping predation risk. We conducted an experiment using 273 camera supervised artificial nests at multiple study sites in clusters of hunting concessions with or without targeted fox culling in a fragmented montane forest landscape in Germany. Results Using generalized additive models, we assessed whether incentivized recreational culling of red foxes was associated with local reductions in an index of predation risk and fox occurrence probability, or whether both were explained by red fox abundance instead. Final models indicated that restricted-area culling of red foxes was not associated with local reductions in predation risk, nor lower probability of a fox sighting, even for the plots with the largest hunting bags. Predation risk at a plot instead appeared to be driven by variation in the abundance of red foxes in the landscape surrounding the plots. After accounting for fox abundance, we found no additional relationship of artificial nest predation risk with landscape configuration. Conclusions Our results imply that the scale and intensity of predator control achieved by incentivized recreational hunting was ineffective at altering fox abundance patterns and associated predation risk. We thus find no evidence to support incentives for uncoordinated recreational red fox culling as a conservation measure. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12898-019-0235-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jim-Lino Kämmerle
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. .,Forest Research Institute of Baden-Württemberg FVA, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Sarah Niekrenz
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ilse Storch
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|