The Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus): an iconic focal species for knowledge-based integrative management and conservation of Baltic forests

Lõhmus, Asko; Leivits, Meelis; Pēterhofs, Elmārs; Zizas, Rytis; Hofmanis, Helmuts; Ojaste, Ivar; Kurlavičius, Petras

doi:10.1007/s10531-016-1223-6

Cited by 26 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The capercaillie is red-listed species in many European countries. It is known that in the last decades many local populations of capercaillie have declined throughout the western and central European countries (Saniga, 2003), while recently the decrease in populations has also been recorded in Belarus (Zizas et al, 2012), Fennoscandia (Lindén, 2002) and Baltic countries (Lõhmus et al, 2017). Despite this, the present core area of the populations is in the western part of Russia and Fennoscandia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In Latvia, the conservation of capercaillie is aimed at the preservation of the forest stand level approach where 'lek-center' with an entire area, including buffers, is protected, also called micro-reserves. Furthermore, in Latvia, the area from strictly to voluntary protected lek sites is estimated as approximately 45.159 ha (Lõhmus et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Over the last decade, the forest and semi-open wetland drainage has been widely practiced in the northern temperate and boreal forests to increase the timber yields and reach sites for timber resources (Vasander et al, 2003). The recent calculation shows that in Latvia approximately 40% of peatland forests around the leks are classified as drained forest types, whereas the proportion of clear-cuts around leks are insignificant (Lõhmus et al, 2017). To increase the habitat quality of capercaillie leks, experimentally the habitat restoration in degraded ecosystems has been practiced.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Straupe¹,

Liepa²,

Zalite³

2019

Research for Rural Development

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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.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Straupe¹,

Liepa²,

Zalite³

2019

Research for Rural Development

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“…In Europe, one of the most endangered forest bird species is the capercaillie Tetrao urogallus, which is considered an iconic species serving an "umbrella" role (Pakkala et al 2003;Lõhmus et al 2017). The capercaillie is a rare sedentary forest grouse species that lives in the old, natural forest complexes of a larger size, occurring in certain boreal and mountainous regions of Europe (Storch 2001(Storch , 2007Jahren et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mature stand developmental stage has ceased to constitute the most suitable habitat for the capercaillie in the Augustów Forest, Poland

Drozdowski

Zawadzka²,

Zawadzki

et al. 2021

For. Ecosyst.

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Background Forest management affects the habitat conditions for many forest-dwelling species. Among them, the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is a rare forest grouse inhabiting old, mature forests. We compared the structure of forest habitat among 9 active and 9 abandoned leks in the Augustów Forest (North-Eastern Poland), within a radius of 1 km of the leks, defined as the Key Areas for the capercaillie in lowland temperate forest. Habitat measurements were conducted on 1779 circular plots. Assessments made on all plots related to 13 habitat variables measured or noted in the field, including stand structure, canopy closure, stand developmental stage, percentage of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), soil fertility and soil moisture, the share of undergrowth, the cover of shrubs, the cover of bilberry (Vaccinium sp.), and the presence of certain habitat elements important to the capercaillie. Results To compare the still-occupied and the abandoned KAs for the capercaillie, a logistic regression model was developed. The variables best explaining differences between these two categories were: the occurrence of undergrowth layers, canopy closure in the second canopy layer, and stand age. According to the model, with the increase of the shrub-layer cover as well as the density of trees, the probability of the presence of the capercaillie decreased. The capercaillie in the area of the Augustów Forest occupy mainly dry and poor, middle-aged, pine-dominated forests, with a moderate extent of stand canopy closure and only weakly-developed layers of undergrowth. Conclusions The filling-in of mature stands with sub-canopy trees and shrubs (the process which is stimulated by climate change and site eutrophication) causes structural changes, which are unfavourable to the capercaillie. This might explain why in the course of the recent decades the capercaillie has abandoned the oldest stands, distinguished by the presence of bigger shares of undergrowth. The capercaillie has shifted to younger stands, which reveal a lesser extent of canopy closure and a more limited development of understorey vegetation.

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“…11 Among forest-dwelling grouses of Europe, two taxa have been studied very intensively due to their rarity and endangerment: Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix). 12,13 The third European forest-associated grouse, Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia), has also been the object of several studies. [14][15][16][17][18] Despite these studies, substantial information about its ecology and biology are still missing (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Could gaps and diverse topography compensate for habitat deficiency by the forest-dwelling bird Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia)?

Matysek

Kajtoch

Gwiazda

et al. 2019

Avian Biology Research

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The Hazel Grouse ( Tetrastes bonasia) is considered an indicator of the naturalness and heterogeneity of the forest environment. This species occurs in various woods and forages on a variety of plants. The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that, in Norway spruce-dominated forest stands, the Hazel Grouse compensates for habitat poverty using non-forest areas and harsh topography, which deliver food resources and shelter for the birds. We compared 14 environmental and topographic variables in forest patches occupied and unoccupied by the Hazel Grouse in the Tatra Mountains (South Poland). Multivariate modelling showed that crucial factors for Hazel Grouse occurrence in spruce-dominated high-mountain forests were southern or western exposures, the presence of streams or glades and a multilayer forest structure with lower plant species richness in the undergrowth layer. Moreover, this species avoided clearcuts and depended either on wild sites (with a high share of deadwood and treefall gaps in mature stands at higher altitudes) or juvenile stands. The results of our study confirmed that gaps in forests and diverse topography could compensate the Hazel Grouse for habitat deficiency. These findings may be important for effective protection of this species in high-mountain spruce-only dominated forests.

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The Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus): an iconic focal species for knowledge-based integrative management and conservation of Baltic forests

Cited by 26 publications

References 41 publications

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

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

Mature stand developmental stage has ceased to constitute the most suitable habitat for the capercaillie in the Augustów Forest, Poland

Could gaps and diverse topography compensate for habitat deficiency by the forest-dwelling bird Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia)?

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