More information
Description
The aim of the project is to support and stabilize the residual black grouse population in the area of interest. The support will be implemented through a mosaic-like opening of overgrown habitats. This management, which will focus on the removal of successive vegetation, will create open areas suitable for the lekking and nesting of black grouse. At the same time, the removal of successive vegetation will limit habitats suitable for nest predators and also predators of adult individuals.
Summary of project results
The project focused on the possibilities of supporting and mitigating the dramatic decline in the population of the black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) in the Czech Republic. The black grouse is currently classified as a critically endangered species. Historically, its range in the Czech Republic included not only mountainous and sub-mountainous areas but also lower hilly regions. Unfortunately, the population of the black grouse has been in long-term decline not only in the Czech Republic but across Europe. Its current distribution is primarily within national parks such as Šumava National Park and Krkonoše National Park, as well as the Ore Mountains. Until recently, a remnant population of the black grouse also inhabited the Libavá Military Training Area, but by 2020, no displaying males were recorded there.
The last area outside of national parks and the Ore Mountains where the black grouse still occurs is the Hradiště Military Training Area, but even here, the local subpopulation has been in long-term decline. Wild animal populations are influenced by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors, making it very difficult to intentionally impact some of them within a short timeframe. The decline in the black grouse population is caused by several factors, including reduced nesting success, increased mortality of juveniles and adults, negative habitat changes, a rise in both native and non-native predator populations, tourism, the effects of global climate change, and undoubtedly other influences. The population dynamics are negatively affected by the interaction of all these factors, but one of the most significant in Central Europe is the gradual disappearance of suitable habitats.
The aim of the project was therefore to support and stabilize the remaining black grouse population in the Doupov Mountains. The project focused on habitat modifications by creating a mosaic of open areas within overgrown habitats in locations free from human influence. This management measure, aimed at removing successional shrub vegetation, resulted in the creation of open spaces suitable for black grouse lekking and nesting. The removal of successional vegetation also reduced the extent of habitats suitable for nest predators and adult black grouse predators, such as the red fox, stone marten, wild boar, and most recently, the raccoon.
The key activity of the project was the implementation of management measures in the area of interest which acreages more than 170 ha. These measures have had a positive impact on the habitat not only for the black grouse but also for other species of endangered wildlife species and other animals that are threatened by increasing populations of native and invasive predators, and also by opportunists, which are in the case of the Doupovské hory Mountains represented by wild boar in particular.
Beyond the above-mentioned management activities, the activities of the working team were focused on the promotion of the black grouse, including emphasizing the importance of support. The target group was mainly the professional public. Among these activities, it is possible to highlight in particular the publication of articles, the implementation of popularisation events with the presentation of promotional materials and the topic of tetraonidae in the form of banners or the press releases achieved with a significant media impact.
The long-term impact lies largely in the sustainability of the mosaic nature of the project sites of interest. This will be achieved through extensive management of the area. The varied wildflower meadows created by the project are now being maintained by the Military Forests and Estates under an extensive forage harvesting regime. The areas are therefore harvested only once through year in late summer so as not to endanger the young of the endangered species living in the area (including black grouse). The long-term impact can also be seen in the project sustainability, consisting of the participation of the research team in public events after the end of the project. The project team also guarantees the continuation of activities to promote the black grouse, including the improvement of public opinion through publications, after the project has ended.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) is Europe''s leading institution for nature research and conservation. Norway is also the country that hosts one of the strongest and most stable black grouse populations in the world. This allows researchers to carry out unique projects studying tetraonidae, which is no longer practically possible in Central Europe due to the low number of black grouse. As a result, the NINA has completely unique knowledge that can fundamentally help for black grouse conservation. The Norwegian partners of the project (especially Dr. Oddgeir Anderson) have been of great help with habitat management proposals, which could be consulted on site during visits to the site of interest. Dr. Anderson was consulted throughout the solution. Dr. Anderson is also a co-author of publications produced by the project team.A tangible result is the elaboration of management measures directly on the area of the Hradiště Military Area on the basis of Norwegian knowledge. The established cooperation has clearly led to the sharing of Norwegian knowledge on the territory of the Czech Republic. Deeper cooperation has been established through the preparing of joint texts, i.e. publication outputs of the project, in which the research team will continue to cooperate with Norwegian colleagues in the coming years. Currently, the Forestry and Game Management Research Institute and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research are considering the current project options. The prerequisite is the development of bilateral cooperation in the form of an international grant projects, focused on the black grouse or other topics related to nature conservation, especially in areas where the advice and know-how of Norwegian colleagues can be used, or possibly in topics where the knowledge found in the Czech Republic can be helpful and subsequently applied in Norway. These topics include in particular knowledge of wild boar management or invasive predators.