Habitat management for capercaillie Tetrao urogallus L. leks: the survey of vegetation changes

Abstract

The capercaillie Tetrao urogallus L. is a typical bird species inhabiting structurally diverse coniferous forests. To increase the habitat quality of capercaillie leks, experimentally the habitat restoration in degraded ecosystems has been practiced. The main habitat restoration events are related to the reversion of hydrological regime and understorey layer management. The aim of this study was to find out how the management of lek sites-mowing of Ledum palustre L. and ground vegetation-promotes the regeneration of the vegetation typical of the capercaillie leks. Three sample plot blocks of 10x30 m have been established, which have been divided into 3 variants of 10x10 m. The first is a control plot, in the second plot an entire ground vegetation mowing was performed, while in the third plot-the ground vegetation mowing in a 3 m wide strip was carried out. The vegetation was determined using the Braun-Blanquet recording form before the management-in August 2015, and after the management-in August 2017. The condition of the habitat of capercaillie is inadequate before management, since Ledum palustre prevails in the ground vegetation. Both types of ground vegetation management have had a significant impact on the projective cover of Ledum palustre. After mowing the entire area, it has decreased by half, but after mowing in a strip, it has decreased by 30%. The ground vegetation mowing in a strip enhances positively the regeneration of dwarf shrubs and herbaceous vegetation.

Assessing the genetic structure of capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in Romania

“…In Central Europe, and not only, the capercaillie is also considered as an umbrella species regarding the conservation of mountain forest ecosystems (Storch 1993, Straupe et al 2019. Capercaillie is a species which is spread across Europe, mainly in the northern countries and Russia (Regnaut 2004).…”