Debarking intensity of European bison in the Bieszczady Mountains in relation to forest habitat features

Nieszała, Angelika; Klich, Daniel; Perzanowski, Kajetan; Januszczak, Maciej; Wołoszyn-Gałęza, Aleksandra; Olech, Wanda

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120057

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Unlike the rest of the study area, this area is mountainous and has undergone a significant change from cropland to predominantly woodland [ 55 ]. European bison mainly use forest habitats in this area, where they cause significant damage [ 56 , 57 ]. In addition, European bison also frequently cause damage to farms [ 58 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contact between European bison and cattle from the cattle breeders’ perspective, in the light of the risk of pathogen transmission

et al. 2023

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Pathogens transmitted between wildlife and domestic animals can pose a threat to endangered species, undermine conservation efforts in wildlife, and affect productivity and parasite control in domestic animals. There are several examples of pathogen transmission between European bison and other animals. The present study surveyed breeders from the vicinity of four large wisent populations in eastern Poland about observed contacts between wisent and cattle. Such contacts were noted by 37% of breeders, indicating a significant risk of contact between European bison and cattle in the study areas, even in the areas where the European bison live mainly in a forest complex, i.e., in the Borecka Forest. A higher potential risk of contacts between European bison and cattle was noted in the Białowieska Forest and the Bieszczady Mountains than in the Borecka and Knyszyńska Forests. In the Białowieska Forest, the risk of viral pathogen transmission resulting from contacts is higher (more direct contacts), and in the case of the Bieszczady Mountains, the probability of parasitic diseases is higher. The chance of contacts between European bison and cattle depended on the distance of cattle pastures from human settlements. Moreover, such contact was possible throughout the year, not only in spring and fall. It appears possible to minimize the risk of contacts between wisent and cattle by changing management practices for both species, such as keeping grazing areas as close as possible to settlements, and reducing the time cattle graze on pastures. However, the risk of contact is much greater if European bison populations are large and are dispersed beyond forest complexes.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contact between European bison and cattle from the cattle breeders’ perspective, in the light of the risk of pathogen transmission

et al. 2023

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“…However, conflicts with land use and people might become a hindrance to long-term coexistence in such shared landscapes (DW, 2018;Schröder et al, 2019). Large herbivores such as E. bison and moose can inflict major damage on crops and trees (Edenius et al, 2002;Hofman-Kamińska & Kowalczyk, 2012;Nieszała et al, 2022), although likely less than the damages caused by other, much more abundant ungulates such as red deer (Cervus and d). Landscape-wide connectivity shows the general permeability of the landscape, whereas westward connectivity shows the potential for dispersal from east to west (see Methods section).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, conflicts with land use and people might become a hindrance to long‐term coexistence in such shared landscapes (DW, 2018; Schröder et al, 2019). Large herbivores such as E. bison and moose can inflict major damage on crops and trees (Edenius et al, 2002; Hofman‐Kamińska & Kowalczyk, 2012; Nieszała et al, 2022), although likely less than the damages caused by other, much more abundant ungulates such as red deer ( Cervus elaphus ), roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) or wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) (Carpio et al, 2021; Linnell et al, 2020). Another potential source of conflict with E. bison and moose are traffic collisions, which can threaten human lives (Niemi et al, 2017), inflict major economic damage (Gren & Jägerbrand, 2019) and negatively impact population viability of small populations (Janík et al, 2021; Teixeira et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Widespread habitat for Europe's largest herbivores, but poor connectivity limits recolonization

Bluhm

Diserens

Engleder³

et al. 2023

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Several large‐mammal species in Europe have recovered and recolonized parts of their historical ranges. Knowing where suitable habitat exists, and thus where range expansions are possible, is important for proactively promoting coexistence between people and large mammals in shared landscapes. We aimed to assess the opportunities and limitations for range expansions of Europe's two largest herbivores, the European bison (Bison bonasus) and moose (Alces alces). Location Central Europe. Methods We used large occurrence datasets from multiple populations and species distribution models to map environmentally suitable habitats for European bison and moose across Central Europe, and to assess human pressure inside the potential habitat. We then used circuit theory modeling to identify potential recolonization corridors. Results We found widespread suitable habitats for both European bison (>120,000 km2) and moose (>244,000 km2), suggesting substantial potential for range expansions. However, much habitat was associated with high human pressure (37% and 43% for European bison and moose, respectively), particularly in the west of Central Europe. We identified a strong east–west gradient of decreasing connectivity, with major barriers likely limiting natural recolonization in many areas. Main conclusions We identify major potential for restoring large herbivores and their functional roles in Europe's landscapes. However, we also highlight considerable challenges for conservation planning and wildlife management, including areas where recolonization likely leads to human–wildlife conflict and where barriers to movement prevent natural range expansion. Conservation measures restoring broad‐scale connectivity are needed in order to allow European bison and moose to recolonize their historical ranges. Finally, our analyses and maps indicate suitable but isolated habitat patches that are unlikely to be colonized but are candidate locations for reintroductions to establish reservoir populations. More generally, our work emphasizes that transboundary cooperation is needed for restoring large herbivores and their ecological roles, and to foster coexistence with people in Europe's landscapes.

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“…Many previous studies have shown that ungulates have a profound impact on forest ecosystems and that browsing has a negative impact on forest regeneration [3,[5][6][7][8][9]. Consequently, as European populations of ungulates have grown, so have concerns of foresters and the public about the impact of such a high density of wild ungulates on forests and their capability to regenerate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Wild Ungulates on Forest Regeneration in an Alpine National Park

Fluri¹,

Anderwald²,

Korner‐Nievergelt³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Browsing of wild ungulates can have profound effects on the structure and composition of forests. In the Swiss National Park, the density of wild ungulates including red deer (Cervus elaphus), ibex (Capra ibex), and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) is exceptionally high due to strict protection and the absence of large predators. We examined count data of larch (Larix decidua), cembra pine (Pinus cembra), spruce (Picea abies), upright mountain pine (Pinus mugo subsp. uncinata), and mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) of four sampling years between 1991 and 2021 and modelled how different topographic and location factors affected the probability of browsing on saplings of larch, cembra pine, and spruce. Despite the high density of wild ungulates, the numbers of saplings and young trees increased over the past 30 years. The probability of browsing on saplings was highest for larch at a height of 10 – 40 cm and increased with increasing elevation. In our study area, open grasslands are mainly located above the tree line, which might explain the positive correlation between elevation and the probability of browsing. Other factors like exposition and slope, available food resources and disturbance by humans did not have clear effects on the probability of browsing.

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Debarking intensity of European bison in the Bieszczady Mountains in relation to forest habitat features

Cited by 7 publications

References 65 publications

Contact between European bison and cattle from the cattle breeders’ perspective, in the light of the risk of pathogen transmission

Contact between European bison and cattle from the cattle breeders’ perspective, in the light of the risk of pathogen transmission

Widespread habitat for Europe's largest herbivores, but poor connectivity limits recolonization

The Influence of Wild Ungulates on Forest Regeneration in an Alpine National Park

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