Description
Czech nature is rich and diverse but there is a list of endangered species. An intense help is framed in documents giving basic information and instructions how to treat the most endangered species. Such a document called an “action plan” is a special tool which contains complex knowledge about species and recommends the measures how to support it. The Saker falcon (Falco cherrug) is a specially protected species therefore the preparation of its action plan was recommended by the conceptual document. Project meets target of the state environmental policy of the Czech Republic for 2012-2020. The main objective of the project is the preparation of the “Action Plan for Saker Falcon”. As a part of the project literature review will be conducted, assessing the current species occurrence including field research sites, and the population viability analysis will be done. Project outcomes improve knowledge of the saker falcon occurrence and preparation its action plan as necessary basis for nature-conservation authorities, NGOs and other institutions how to maintain populations of the species. Majority of measures of the project consists of field research and gathering published data regarding the species leading to the action plan to be more precise and complex. The project outputs are review of literature and other information sources and writing down a summary of locations of the species occurrence throughout the country, monitoring of presence in the field and new knowledge from study results. The target activity is writing and compilation of the action-plan text. Project will also include part of publicity. The target group of the project is primarily a species and Ministry of the Environment. Secondarily, the protection and connected activities will carry out the influence of the general public via education. There is a local partner ALKA Wildlife, o.p.s., contributing to the project with expertise and experience.
Summary of project results
The key objective of this project was the preparation of a action plan for the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug), a critically endangered species in the Czech Republic. Project Activities: Historical Data Processing The available historical data were collected and converted into a unified format The data has been collected from literature, partial and final reports and unpublished materials supplied in the past to the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (NCA CR). Identification of Occurrence in the Czech Republic The research of selected areas was aimed at finding the exact size of the nesting population of the Saker Falcon in the Czech Republic in the years 2015 and 2016. Implementation of a detailed monitoring of the nesting population was necessary before planning the activities of the prepared action plan. The results obtained provided information on current species distribution in the Czech Republic and were used to correctly interpret the long-term development of its population as well as to prioritize conservation and research measures. Population Viability Analysis Another important activity, through which the information important for the preparation of the text of action plan was obtained, was the analysis of population viability, a method of descriptive and predictive analysis of available demographic data. The available data only allowed a comparison of relative population developments due to different factors / different parameters. For realistic models of population development and assessment of survival, it would be necessary to obtain at least data on the mortality of individuals, which means relatively demanding research (telemetry, marking and reading, etc.). Preparation of the text of the Action Plan Completing the text of the Action Plan for the Saker Falcon in the Czech Republic was based on the Concept of Action and Management plans for specially protected plant and animal species in the Czech Republic and also on the concept of international and European Action Plan for Saker Falcon. The main measures proposed by the new Action Plan are: Securing high-voltage power lines and pylons in areas of regular Saker Falcon occurrence Monitoring, followed by: Restricting disturbance at nesting sites Inventorying already installed artificial nesting opportunities and their evaluation Protecting „host“ species Ensuring safe nesting opportunities in areas with teir shortage Supporting all forms of making agriculture more extensive
Summary of bilateral results