Changes in Distribution of Aesculapian Snake and Implications for Its Active Conservation in Poland

Kurek, Katarzyna; Najberek, Kamil; Zając, Bartłomiej; Bury, Stanisław; Ćmiel, Adam M.; Baś, Grzegorz; Najbar, Bartłomiej

doi:10.3161/15052249pje2017.65.4.011

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Anthropogenic microhabitat might therefore be indispensable to Aesculapian snake reproduction and be the major limiting resource for this species in the Bieszczady Mountains. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the local population increased following the implementation of an active conservation program in 2009 – 2013, the main component of which involved providing artificial breeding mounds (Kurek et al , ). The crucial role of anthropogenic microhabitats at the northern edge of a snake's range was suggested in Sweden, where the decline of grass snakes might have been due to the loss of nesting environments provided by open manure heaps in small‐scale farming (Hagman et al ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This period encompassed emergence from hibernation (late Apr until the end of May), mating (Jun), egg laying (Jul), and hatching of young and hibernation of adults (Sep to mid‐Oct; Najbar , ). We conducted field surveys on warm days without rain using a research team of 2 to 6 persons (Kurek et al , ). The influence of search effort on the number of snakes detected was not statistically significant (Kurek et al ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We conducted field surveys on warm days without rain using a research team of 2 to 6 persons (Kurek et al , ). The influence of search effort on the number of snakes detected was not statistically significant (Kurek et al ). Because of movement during mating season and relatively low plant growth, detectability of this species is the highest in June (Najbar , ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We distributed them in the area occupied by the largest population at intervals averaging about 250 m. The number of snake records on the mounds increased as the study progressed. However, snakes were not strongly attracted to the mounds, with only about 25% of the records collected in their immediate surroundings (Kurek et al ). We recorded global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of all snake records.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat use of the Aesculapian snake at different spatial scales

et al. 2018

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At their range limits, animal populations are often small and endangered. Moreover, they may use habitats in different ways than core populations, making the determination of habitat requirements an important aspect for effective long‐term conservation of these populations. We assessed habitat requirements of the Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) in an isolated population at the northern limits of its range, southeastern Poland. We analyzed factors affecting the species’ distribution at different spatial scales. We used the area of its current distribution (22,754 ha) in Poland to analyze macrohabitat patterns at the landscape scale and used the area currently occupied by the largest local population (2,192 ha) to analyze macro‐ and microhabitat use. Additionally, at 25 sites delimited around individual and clusters of snake records (140.7 ha), we characterized the detailed forest composition. Landscape‐scale analyses confirmed the Aesculapian snake's preference for deciduous forest. At the medium spatial scale, anthropogenic macro‐ and microhabitat features had a positive effect on the presence and abundance of the species. Its distribution was positively associated with warm river valleys, and we recorded the highest numbers of snakes in areas with average annual temperatures between 5.95°C and 6.30°C. At a fine scale, the relative abundance of the Aesculapian snake was negatively associated with dense deciduous forest cover but positively associated with open broad‐leaf woodlands. To conserve northern populations of the Aesculapian snake, clearings should be maintained in forest stands, tree planting and natural succession should be reduced in open areas, and alder forests (Alnetum incanae) and small beech forest (Dentario glandulosae‐Fagetum) stands should be protected. Active conservation should include the creation of artificial reproduction sites and permanent rocky shelters to assist dispersal and connectivity among subpopulations. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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