Description
Czech nature is rich and diverse but also contains many vulnerable species. These species need an active protection. Conception of Action Plans and Management Plans for Specially Protected Species of Animals and Plants in the Czech Republic defines species witch need an expert document for a decision to prepare its action plan. The Edible dormouse (Glis glis) is one of the species of Concept. The project is about preparation of expert document for this species. The project meets the target of the state environmental policy of the Czech Republic for 2012-2020. The main objective of the project is creation of expert document as necessary basis for nature-conservation authorities to begin active protection of edible dormouse. The project aims to monitor the occurrence of the species in the Czech Republic, including a literature review and field survey. The project outcomes are improving knowledge of edible dormouse occurrence and preparation of the expert document. Majority of measures of the project consists of field research leading to precise and complex treatment of expert document. The project outputs are collection of data from mapping and monitoring of all known sites and the findings of ecology and habitat preferences of species. Project will also include part of publicity. The target group of the project is primarily the species and nature-conservation authorities. Secondarily, the protection and connected activities will carry out the influence over the general public via education.
Summary of project results
Edible dormouse is in the Concept of Action Plans for critically endangered and threatened species of wild animals in the Czech Republic classified as a "deserving special concern”. Such a species is of conservation priority but little knowledge is available about its life history, distribution and threats and thus it is impossible to evaluate whether an Action or Management Plan should be prepared for it. Within first months of the project selection of survey points and maps was carried out. Workshop for surveyors was carried out at 3 and 4th of July 2015. The survey design was explained and maps and devices were distributed among the surveyors. During the summer 2015 about 40 % of territory of the state was surveyed. Currently, in summer 2016 the rest of the survey is carried out. Parallel to distribution survey, the data of species occurrence from broad public are collected. More than 100 records of the species (confirmed either by detailed description of the animal appearance or picture) were gained. Recently the presence of the species is confirmed in 12% of the territory of the Czech Republic. Between 2015 and 2016, we were mapping our biggest Edible dormouse. Mapped by experienced or trained mappers directly in the field at selected points throughout the country, and also data on observation from the public was collected. It was checked by listening to 1830 points in the night hours throughout the Czech Republic. From the public, 345 findings of all our Edible dormouse were obtained, of which in 235 cases there was a recent finding of a Edible dormouse with an exact localization. The occurrence of the Edible dormouse was found in 188 faunistic quadrates, representing 28% of the territory of the Czech Republic, especially Moravia and the Northern Bohemia. In the center, south and southwest is unfortunately very rare. We created common database of edible dormice from different habitats captured between 2007-2014. Tree species composition was estimated at those habitats. Population parameters at different habitats are calculated. The database of historical records of occurrence was refilled.
Summary of bilateral results