Effects of wet meadows management in Lake Mikri Prespa: monitoring methodology and expected results
Under the LIFE-Nature Project: ‘Conservation of priority bird species in Lake Mikri Prespa, Greece’ management of the littoral vegetation and the water level of Lake Mikri Prespa are taking place aiming at the restoration of wet meadows Society for the Protection of Prespa, 2002). Wet meadows, seasonally inundated shallow areas with low vegetation, are beneficial for a variety of wildlife, including fish, amphibian and waterbird species. In order to assess the effects that such management has on the bird fauna and in particular on the two priority bird species, Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) and Pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus), a bird monitoring scheme was necessary. This monitoring scheme includes monitoring of bird use of the managed littoral sites, colony censuses and vegetation monitoring. The first year of monitoring was considered a pilot year. Certain adjustments and additions were made to improve the data collection and the subsequent analysis. This work attempts to present the methodologies used and the limitations encountered and gives a descriptive report on the preliminary data of the first year of monitoring.
Habitat use by the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in agrosystems of southern Greece
Five golden jackals (Canis aureus) were radiotracked in the locations of Mornos – Fokida and eastern Samos island in southern Greece for periods ranging between 2 – 15 months. The home ranges for the animals that were tracked for a year ranged from 2.2 to 15 km2. The jackals occupied lowland agrosystems with scattered small human settlements consisting of a mosaic of small cultivations and dense vegetation. The jackals used the dense vegetation for daytime cover and their activity was exclusively nocturnal. Daytime cover areas were recorded even next to human settlements. The jackals emerged from the dense cover usually 1 hour after sunset and used open meadows and cultivated areas for foraging. Major barriers for the dispersal and repopulation of new areas from the species seem to be the mountainous areas with large unbroken forests and low levels of human activity.
Behavioural patterns of common (Southern) reedbuck, Redunca arundinum, in South African bushveldt savannah
The present study concerns the whistling behaviour of the common or southern reedbuck (Redunca arundinum). Field observations have taken place in Mankwe Game Reserve, South Africa, in order to examine factors that possibly influence the reedbuck’s behaviour and decision to give calls. Data has been collected on time of the day, type of habitat, wind direction, group size, sex and distances between individuals and observer, for the moment the individual has been alerted, ran and gave the first call, if any. Statistical analysis has been carried out in order to reveal any connection between thοse factors and the calling potential. The analysis has revealed that the only connection to the decision of an individual on whether to call or not is the distance between itself and the observer, who in this case has played the role of a predator. This result indicates that the decision taken is based on the evaluation of danger an individual makes, at the first moment of awareness of the predator’s presence. Based on available information on predator defence mechanisms and alarm calls, this study is trying to explain this decision taken and test the probability of this whistle to be an alarm call. The final conclusion suggests that the whistle is used by the common reedbuck as an alarm call, but strongly argues that this is not the only purpose of it, within the area of antipredator behaviour.
Habitat use by the Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) in the Rodopi Mountain Range
Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) occurs in the Greek territory of the Rodopi mountain range, mainly in two areas: a) in the Virgin forest of Frakto, in the prefecture of Drama, and b) in the region of Koula, in the prefectures of Drama and Xanthi. Population size in the former area is estimated at 70-80 individuals, which use a habitat of 20 km2, while in the latter area the population size is estimated at 20-30 individuals and the used habitat by the chamois 53 km2. The habitat of the two populations includes mainly mixed forest of beech (Fagus sp.), norway spruce (Picea abies), fir (Abies borisii-regis), scotch pine (Pinus silvestris) and oak (Quercus sp.). The two populations show preference for upland pastures with rocky formations, which are restricted in the area but of vital importance for the survival of the species. The two populations possibly have no communication between them. In this paper, the preference of chamois for the various landscape and vegetation cover parameters, as well as the management measures that are necessary for the connectivity of the two populations are being analysed and discussed.
Management planning of the Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) populations and habitat in Epirus using remote sensing and GIS
In the present paper part of the results of a research project concerning the management of chamois, roe deer, wild boar and red deer is presented. In particular, we analysed the distribution andpopulation status of the chamois in six mountain ranges in Epirus and estimated the proportion of the present species distribution that falls in protected areas (National Park, Game Refuge, Area of Hunting Prohibition). More particular, 1) in the mountain range of Tymfi-Kozakos, 61% of the habitat used by the species is protected, 2) in the mountain range Smolikas – Kleftes Laistas, 28% of the habitat used by the species is protected. The proportion for the rest mountain ranges are: 3) Grammos: 33%, 4) Avgo – Pindos National Park: 63%, 5) Peristeri: 11%, 6) Nemertsika (Greek section): 0%. These data show that a small proportion of the chamois habitat comes under protection, although the mere designation of any area as a protected area does not guarantee the survival of the species. Finally, management measures are proposed.
