Edge effect and influence of economic growth on Eurasian lynx mortality in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland

Kowalczyk, Rafał; Górny, Marcin; Schmidt, Krzysztof

doi:10.1007/s13364-014-0203-z

Cited by 17 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…Until now, the accumulated data from the literature along with the results of this study show that the lynx in this area can be a host to at least 14 species of helminths. This data is important considering that lynx populations in Poland are unstable or decreasing (Von Arx et al 2004), and in central Europe, they are also strongly fragmented and limited to forest areas (Kowalczyk et al 2015; Schmidt 1998). Therefore, every risk that may contribute to deepening the vulnerability of the population, including parasitic invasions, must be taken into account in conservation strategies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite protection and a general increasing trend in other countries (Chapron et al 2014), its population within Poland decreased dramatically between 1980 and 2001 (Jędrzejewski et al 2002) and has not yet recovered. Habitat fragmentation in central Europe has been suggested as a major cause of this situation due to a strong affiliation between these felids and forest habitat (Kowalczyk et al 2015; Podgórski et al 2008; Schmidt 1998). Infestation with parasites has been shown to be an important mortality factor in lynx (Breitenmoser et al 2000; Schmidt-Posthaus et al 2002; Andren et al 2006; Szczęsna et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Update of the helminth fauna in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Poland

et al. 2018

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The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is a strictly protected species of large carnivore in Poland. It inhabits forest complexes in north-eastern Poland and the Carpathian region in southern Poland. The status of the lynx within Poland requires special attention because its range decreased between 1980 and 2001 and has not yet recovered. One of the factors negatively affecting lynx populations is diseases, particularly parasites. The helminth fauna of the Eurasian lynx is not fully known in Poland. Previous coprological studies revealed that Polish lynx have been infected with seven species of nematodes, three species of cestodes, and one species of trematode. In this study, we present new data based on examination of opportunistically collected lynx carcasses. The aim of the study was to complement data on the helminth fauna of Eurasian lynx inhabiting Poland based on morphological and molecular analysis of parasites. Four species of cestodes—Taenia lynciscapreoli, Mesocestoides lineatus, Spirometra sp., and Taenia krabbei—were found for the first time in Eurasian lynx from Poland and three previously reported species of nematodes—Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Toxascaris leonina, and Toxocara cati—were confirmed. Larvae of Trichinella britovi were also detected in Eurasian lynx in Poland for the first time.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Update of the helminth fauna in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Poland

et al. 2018

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“…Political changes in former socialist countries may also have affected large carnivore populations. In Poland, lynx mortality due to poaching was higher during the low GDP years following the collapse of communism and lower in subsequent years, when GDP had risen to a higher level [ 35 ]. In addition, different species may react differently to economic and social perturbations associated with the drastic changes in Eastern Europe.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can only poorer European countries afford large carnivores?

Kojola

Hallikainen

Helle³

et al. 2018

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundOne of the classic approaches in environmental economics is the environmental Kuznets curve, which predicts that when a national economy grows from low to medium levels, threats to biodiversity conservation increase, but they decrease when the economy moves from medium to high. We evaluated this approach by examining how population densities of the brown bear (Ursus arctos), gray wolf (Canis lupus), and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) were related to the national economy in 24 European countries.Methodology/Principal findingsWe used forest proportions, the existence of a compensation system, and country group (former socialist countries, Nordic countries, other countries) as covariates in a linear model with the first- and the second-order polynomial terms of per capita gross domestic product (GDP). Country group was treated as a random factor, but remained insignificant and was ignored. All models concerning brown bear and wolf provided evidence that population densities decreased with increasing GDP, but densities of lynx were virtually independent of GDP. Models for the wolf explained >80% of the variation in densities, without a difference between the models with all independent variables and the model with only GDP. For the bear, the model with GDP alone accounted for 10%, and all three variables 33%, of the variation in densities.ConclusionsWolves exhibit a higher capacity for dispersal and reproduction than bear or lynx, but still exists at the lowest densities in wealthy European countries. We are aware that several other factors, not available for our models, influenced large carnivore densities. Based on the pronounced differences among large carnivore species in their countrywide relationships between densities and GDP, and a strikingly high relationship for the gray wolf, we suggest that our results reflected differences in political history and public acceptance of these species among countries. The compensation paid for the damages caused by the carnivores is not a key to higher carnivore densities, but might be necessity for the presence of large carnivores to be accepted in countries with high GDP.

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“…Forest edge habitat, particularly adjacent to farmland, was found to provide optimal cover for stalking their preferred prey species, roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Scandinavia (Sunde et al, 2000a). However, other work has demonstrated an increased risk of human-induced mortality associated with habitat edges compared to core areas (Kowalczyk et al, 2015). While it is possible that the shape and location of the Kintyre Peninsula influenced the suitability of this reintroduction location, the west coast still outperformed other regions when alternative local patches were tested (Table S6).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving reintroduction success in large carnivores through individual-based modelling: How to reintroduce Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) to Scotland

Ovenden

Palmer

Travis

et al. 2019

Biological Conservation

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Globally, large carnivores have been heavily affected by habitat loss, fragmentation and persecution, sometimes resulting in local extinctions. With increasing recognition of topdown trophic cascades and complex predator-prey dynamics, reintroductions are of growing interest for restoration of ecosystem functioning. Many reintroductions have however failed, in part due to poor planning and inability to model complex eco-evolutionary processes to give reliable predictions. Using the case study of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), a large predator being considered for reintroduction to Scotland, we demonstrate how an individual-based model that integrates demography with three distinct phases of dispersal (emigration, transfer and settlement) can be used to explore the relative suitability of three geographically-distant potential reintroduction sites, multi-site reintroductions and two founding population sizes. For a single-site reintroduction of 10 lynx, our simulation results show a clear hierarchy of suitability across all metrics. Reintroduction in the Kintyre Peninsula (west coast) consistently performed best, with a probability of population persistence at year 100 of 83%, and the Scottish component of Kielder Forest (southern Scotland) worst, with only a 21% chance of population persistence to year 100. Simultaneous two-site reintroduction in the Kintyre Peninsula and in Aberdeenshire (near the east coast) of 32 lynx gave a 96% persistence at 100 years. Our model was highly sensitive to survival, particularly of adults, highlighting this parameter's importance for reintroduction success. The results strongly indicate the potential viability of Eurasian lynx reintroduction to Scotland given the current cover of suitable woodland habitat. More generally, our work demonstrates how emerging modelling approaches incorporating increased realism in representing species' demography, ecology and dispersal can have high value for quick, inexpensive assessment of likely reintroduction success and for selection between alternative strategies.

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Edge effect and influence of economic growth on Eurasian lynx mortality in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland

Cited by 17 publications

References 35 publications

Update of the helminth fauna in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Poland

Update of the helminth fauna in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Poland

Can only poorer European countries afford large carnivores?

Improving reintroduction success in large carnivores through individual-based modelling: How to reintroduce Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) to Scotland

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