IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Leschinski, L. | |
| Occurrence and activity patterns of the Balkan lynx (_Lynx lynx bylcanicus)_, its prey species and the grey wolf _(Canis lupus)_ as a competitive predator, in the Mavrovo National Park, North Macedonia | |
| 2020 Full Book | |
Predators can have direct and indirect effects on prey that can affect prey density and behaviour. Through trophic cascades, these effects can play an important role in shaping entire ecosystems. The Balkan lynx (_Lynx lynx balcanicus), _a critically endangered subspecies of the Eurasian lynx (_Lynx lynx_), is part of a diverse ecosystem and needs to be protected. I investigated camera trap data from several survey years in Mavrovo National Park (North Macedonia) to study the relationship between the Balkan lynx, its prey species, and the potential competitor - the grey wolf (_Canis lupus)_. Factors that can affect the occurrence of the Balkan lynx, roe deer (_Capreolus capreolus_), Balkan chamois (_Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica_), European hare (_Lepus europaeus_) and the grey wolf were examined with occupancy analyses, and the daily activity pattern overlap between the lynx and other target species was estimated. Lynx and wolf showed a similar nocturnal activity pattern with a high activity overlap (D4 = 0.74) and neither spatial avoidance nor attraction behaviour was found. Diet differentiation between the two predators is assumed to be key for coexistence in the study area. Lynx and hare showed a high activity pattern overlap as well (D4 = 0.75), but a considerably lower overlap was found between lynx and roe deer (D4 = 0.50) and lynx and chamois (D4 = 0.40). Findings from the occupancy analysis showed that the lynx detection affected the probability of site use of roe deer negatively. These results indicate that roe deer showed anti-predator behaviour in space and time. Habitat characteristics provide further information on the probability of the spatial occurrence of species. Authorities can consider these findings to guide wildlife management decisions for the protection of the Balkan lynx, other species, and habitat. |
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