A Model for Evaluating the ‘Habitat Potential’ of a Landscape for Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus: A Tool for Conservation Planning

Abstract

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Addressing biodiversity in a stakeholder-driven climate change vulnerability assessment of forest management

“…regionalized indicators) which are then monitored in the vulnerability assessment. Using the capercaillie Tetrao urogallus as an example, the considerations of Graf et al (2005) and Braunisch and Suchant (2007) would give valuable starting points for such context-specific indicator development in the study area. (4) The consideration of biodiversity within vulnerability assessment schemes calls for its integration within ecosystem dynamics as mediated by the mutual interactions of forest conditions, management, climate change and disturbance regimes (compare Turner et al, 2003).…”

Habitat assessment for forest dwelling species using LiDAR remote sensing: Capercaillie in the Alps

“…Species distribution models relate the spatial distribution of a species to its present environment and have become a widespread tool in conservation biology (Guisan and Zimmermann, 2000). They are often used to predict species distributions over large areas (landscape, region, continent) and are well-suited for identifying priority areas in large-scale conservation concepts (e.g., Mladenoff and Sickley, 1998;Corsi et al, 1999;Graf et al, 2004;Braunisch and Suchant, 2007). However, more detailed information about the habitat suitability within priority areas are generally needed to define the sites, timing and type of required management actions.…”

Using ecological forest site mapping for long-term habitat suitability assessments in wildlife conservation—Demonstrated for capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)

“…Especially in mountainous landscapes, climate is a predominant factor, not only with regard to vegetation development but also to the regeneration potential of devastated soils (Prietzel and Rehfuess, 1999). Climate conditions also count among the most important predictors for capercaillie presence at the landscape scale (e.g., Sachot, 2002;Graf et al, 2005), with cold winter conditions best explaining capercaillie distribution in the Black Forest (Braunisch and Suchant, 2007). To obtain more precise predictions, climate and topography must be additionally included, and the interactions between these variables quantified.…”

“…The focus on vegetation condition is advantageous where the objective is to model the current habitat suitability. However, problems arise when seeking to determine the long-term potential of a landscape to provide suitable habitat for a particular species (e.g., Braunisch and Suchant, 2007).…”