IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Huckschlag, D. | |
| Monitoring and status of lynx in the Palatinate Forest - Analysis of evidence 1999 to 2006 and conception of a lure station deployment | |
| 2007 Full Book | |
In 1999 a long-term monitoring was established to gain information about the occurrence and distribution of the lynx in the Palatinate Forest (Rhineland-Palatinate). The results help to launch measures to support the conservation of this endangered species. The "Zentralstelle der Forstverwaltung" coordinates this monitoring system. The Research Institute for Forest Ecology and Forestry Rhineland-Palatinate (FAWF) is in charge of the implementation and the scientific evaluation. The study area is divided into nine parts. For each part a lynx expert is responsible to impart knowledge about the lynx, collect and evaluate lynx reports. From 1999 to 2006 239 indications were recorded. One fifth is regarded as "unreliable" and was excluded from further analysis. The remaining 187 indications consist of two third "doubtful" and one third "reliable" data. No indication could be qualified as "sure" and "confirmed". 57 % of all indications are sightings, 21 % vocalisations and 16 % tracks. Kills, scats and scores seldom occurred. The seasonal variation of all indications shows a maximum in January and February. This is also valid to the tracks whereas the sightings are more or less equally distributed. There is no accumulation of indications during mating (February-April) or drive hunt season (October-December). The indications occurred all over the study area with a concentration of 73 % in the western part of the middle Palatinate Forest. There are larger areas without hints in the southern part adjacent to the French Vosges Mountains where the lynx was officially reintroduced. According to the analysis there are only weak evidences for a minimal number of two individuals in 1999, 2000 and 2002. No signs of reproduction were recorded. Other demographic parameters remain unknown. Further and more detailed information could be gained by means of scent stations. The conception of the use of scent stations is presented. It can be assumed that in the time period under report this species is probably still occurring in the Palatinate Forest and surroundings. The occurrence is endangered and needs to be connected with the population in the French Vosges Mountains. |
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