D: Monitoring of the Impact of the Project Actions - Life lynx

D.1 Effects of Lynx Removal on Source Populations

lynx — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 15:02:38 +0000

Monitoring the Effects of Lynx Removal for Translocations on the Source Populations

This action will provide information on the effects of lynx removal on the source population and ensure that the source populations in Slovakia and Romania are not threatened. At the same time, results achieved in this action will benefit designing future reinforcement programs for other endangered lynx populations in Europe, as well as other species that face similar conservation challenges.

Data gathered within this action will be compared with the pre-capture reference situation. Based on the comparison of results, we will estimate the changes in lynx abundance and density and assess the population trends following lynx removal. Genetic samples collected will provide results on population genetic variability and relatedness. This will help us to understand the viability and vitality of the source population and will serve as a baseline for future surveys of the population. This will also be used for comparison with reintroduced populations, including the Dinaric – SE Alpine population. Furthermore, effects of removal of individual lynx on the spatio-temporal changes will help in surveying how fast the empty territories become re-occupied by immigrants and how the removal of resident lynx affects spatial distribution of neighbouring animals.

Project outputs

Assessing the effects of lynx translocations on the source populations in Slovakia and Romania (EN, pdf)

Related news

D.1 Effects of Lynx Removal on Source Populations

Monitoring the Effects of Lynx Removal for Translocations on the Source Populations This action will provide information on the effects

The post D.1 Effects of Lynx Removal on Source Populations first appeared on Life lynx.

The post D.1 Effects of Lynx Removal on Source Populations appeared first on Life lynx.

D.2 Impact of Population Reinforcement

lynx — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 15:01:47 +0000

Monitoring of the Impact of Population Reinforcement

The goal of this action is to evaluate the overall effectiveness of lynx reinforcement on the Dinaric-SE Alpine lynx population. This will help us evaluate whether we have reached our main goal – stopping and reversing genetic and demographic deterioration of the population. Special attention will be made to quantify the impacts of the reinforcement on the demographic and genetic status of the lynx population. This result will also form the foundation for drafting the long-term strategies for ensuring viability and vitality of the Dinaric-SE Alpine lynx population.

Monitoring will be conducted on two levels across the project area in Slovenia, Croatia and Italy:

1.) the individual level
2.) population level.

All analyses and reports will be done at the population-level among partners from these three countries. Results will be presented in the final report on the impact of the reinforcement effort. The report will include knowledge gained and recommendations for future lynx reinforcement projects in Europe. Based on this report, we will prepare at least two manuscripts about the reinforcement for scientific publications. These manuscripts will inform future reinforcement programs for other endangered lynx populations in Europe and other species that face similar conservation challenges throughout the world. The action will start in 2023 after the last translocated lynx is released and will continue until the end of the project.

Project outputs

D.3 Monitoring Project Impact on Viability

lynx — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 15:01:04 +0000

Monitoring of the Project Impact on Viability of Lynx in the Dinaric Mountains and South Eastern Alps, and Establishing Guidelines for Ensuring Long Term Viability

The goal of this action is to track the project’s impact on the long-term viability of the Dinaric – SE Alpine lynx population and determine how the population should be managed in the long run. We will use stochastic demographic/genetic computer models in a population viability analysis (PVA) to model future development of the lynx population in Dinaric Mountains and SE Alps and to estimate extinction risks of the lynx population through time. We will use the experience and biological data accumulated in the project to parametrize the models and make them as close to reality as possible. We will model different management scenarios to see how to alleviate risks with effective management. We will use the results to produce science-based guidelines that will help ensure the genetically and demographically robust lynx population established through this project is maintained well into the future. We will organize and summarize the results in the document “Guidelines for Ensuring the Long-term Viability of Lynx in the Dinaric Mountains and South Eastern Alps.”

All reintroductions and reinforcements should have a long-term strategy for success, as recommended by the IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations. To do this, we need to understand how lynx demography and genetics will change in the future. These parameters are difficult to predict in small populations since stochasticity is the major force causing change. However, by using stochastic modelling we can predict a range of possible future scenarios for understanding how the population will respond to different management regimes and specific management actions including changes in lynx mortality, the introduction of new animals, or improvement of fitness caused by a decrease in inbreeding. Estimating how these critical parameters will change over time, and how we can influence them, will help us provide a foundation for effective, long-term management.

Project outputs

The LIFE Lynx project has made a significant leap in conservation the Dinaric lynx population through genetic rescue. Facing severe

A look into the future of the lynx population

During the LIFE Lynx project, we have learned a lot about the genetics and demography of the lynx. Data, obtained

Presenting the future of lynx at the first joint conference of the Alpine and the Carpathian convention

Within the LIFE Lynx project we also focused on the future of the Dinaric-SE Alpine lynx population. On its own,

Developed computer model to help lynx conservation

Computer simulations are a very useful and widely used tool in conservation biology as they are able to provide useful

The post D.3 Monitoring Project Impact on Viability first appeared on Life lynx.

The post D.3 Monitoring Project Impact on Viability appeared first on Life lynx.

D.4 Project Visibility and Public Acceptance

lynx — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 15:00:33 +0000

Project Visibility and Public Acceptance of Lynx and Lynx Conservation

Our goal in this action is to document and evaluate potential changes in public attitudes and knowledge about lynx over the course of project implementation, thus providing an additional tool for fine-tuning activities over the course of the project. The results will also provide insight into people’s willingness to accept lynx in the project area over the duration of the project and beyond. The follow-up assessments replicate the attitudinal and knowledge survey carried out in the A7 action and provide a directly comparable dataset that will permit attitudinal and belief monitoring. In addition, content analysis of media clips will be carried out as well as an evaluation of the project’s information and dissemination activities. This action will provide lynx managers, as well as other interest groups directly or indirectly involved with lynx management in the project area, with information that can considerably improve the quality of their decisions and efficacy of their implementation.

D: Monitoring of the Impact of the Project Actions - Life lynx

D.1 Effects of Lynx Removal on Source Populations

Monitoring the Effects of Lynx Removal for Translocations on the Source Populations

Project outputs

Related news

D.2 Impact of Population Reinforcement

Monitoring of the Impact of Population Reinforcement

Project outputs

Related news

New scientific publication on genetic rescue of the Dinaric lynx: results and prospects

LIFE Lynx project prevented the extinction of the Dinaric SE-Alpine lynx population

Overview of individual lynx monitoring showing overall success of translocation efforts

Surveying the public perception on the lynx

D.3 Monitoring Project Impact on Viability

Monitoring of the Project Impact on Viability of Lynx in the Dinaric Mountains and South Eastern Alps, and Establishing Guidelines for Ensuring Long Term Viability

Project outputs

Related news

D.4 Project Visibility and Public Acceptance

Project Visibility and Public Acceptance of Lynx and Lynx Conservation

Project outputs

Related news

Public attitudes towards lynx in Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy – Final report

Attitudes toward lynx and lynx conservation in Slovenia, Croatia and Italy in 2021

Attitudes of the Slovenian public towards lynx in 2021