Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Klich, Magdalena Perlinska-Teresiak, Hendrik Bluhm, Tobias Kuemmerle, Marlena Wojciechowska, Wanda Olech
Summary: Traffic mortality poses a serious risk to endangered species like the European bison, especially those in small populations, with high mobility, and occupying fragmented habitats. Our study in Poland, which has a significant population of free-ranging European bison, reveals an increasing trend of bison mortality on roads and railways. The high traffic volumes on a national road passing through the core range of the Zachodniopomorskie population significantly contribute to the majority of reported mortality. Reintroduction efforts should prioritize roadless areas and avoid busy roads and railways to reduce the risk to both bison and people.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
David Singer, Hermann Hondong, Markus Dietz
Summary: Old-growth forests are valuable habitats for bat and woodpecker species, yet these habitat features are often reduced in managed forests. Bechstein's Bat, a species of high European conservation priority, shows a preference for woodpecker cavities for roosting. The study found that both woodpeckers and Bechstein's Bat prefer managed forests with old, deciduous stands with high tree densities and deadwood structures.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biology
Christinna Herskind, Heidi Huus Petersen, Cino Pertoldi, Stine Karstenskov Ostergaard, Marta Kolodziej-Sobocinska, Wojciech Sobocinski, Malgorzata Tokarska, Trine Hammer Jensen
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptability of recently introduced European bison in Lille Vildmose by analyzing their dietary diversity and parasitic load. The study found that the bison quickly adapted to their new habitat, with seasonal changes in their diet and parasitic load.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rafal Lopucki, Daniel Klich, Kajetan Perzanowski, Angelika Niesza, Adam Kiersztyn, Aleksander Bolbot, Maria Sobczuk, Wanda Olech
Summary: A typical challenge in studying habitat selection is creating a global model at a population level. This study focused on individual variability resulting from a species' ecological plasticity, using European bison in Bialowieska Forest as an example. The research showed that habitat selection patterns were highly variable among individuals within the population, highlighting the importance of considering flexibility in habitat selection for conservation and reintroduction efforts.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Vitaliy Smagol, Pavlo Khoyetskyy, Vitaliy Yarysh, Viktoria Smagol, Kostiantyn Maievskyi, Glenn Plumb
Summary: This study describes the characteristics of habitats used by European bison herds in Ukraine and indicates variations in habitat use during different seasons.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Romualdas Lapickis, Loreta Griciuviene, Arturas Kibisa, Indre Lipatova, Asta Aleksandraviciene, Irma Razanske, Marlena Wojciechowska, Marta Kloch, Wanda Olech, Algimantas Paulauskas
Summary: The genetic diversity and structure of European bison in Lithuania were examined using microsatellite markers and mtDNA sequences. The study found that the Lithuanian population has a different genetic structure compared to populations in Poland, Germany, and Sweden. It also revealed low genetic variation in the Lithuanian bison population, with two haplotypes observed in the mtDNA sequences.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel Klich, Ignacy Kitowski, Rafal Lopucki, Dariusz Wiacek, Wanda Olech
Summary: The study of hepatic concentrations of 27 elements in free-ranging European bison populations revealed differences in element concentrations between populations living in different locations, with the mountain population in Bieszczady being the most distinctive. Even geographically close lowland populations sometimes have different hepatic concentrations of particular elements. Individual sex and age have a weak effect on mineral status.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Jordan P. Cuff, Fredric M. Windsor, Emma C. Gilmartin, Lynne Boddy, T. Hefin Jones
Summary: The study found significant differences in the biological communities inhabiting rot holes with different environmental conditions, with environmental conditions playing a crucial role in shaping the structure of invertebrate communities. The strong link between environmental conditions and invertebrate communities in rot holes suggests the importance of promoting environmental heterogeneity to enhance invertebrate diversity in deadwood habitats.
JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Thilo Heinken, Martin Diekmann, Jaan Liira, Anna Orczewska, Marcus Schmidt, Joerg Brunet, Milan Chytry, Olivier Chabrerie, Guillaume Decocq, Pieter De Frenne, Pavel Drevojan, Zbigniew Dzwonko, Joerg Ewald, Bente Jessen Graae, John-Arvid Grytnes, Martin Hermy, Wolf-Ulrich Kriebitzsch, Jonathan Lenoir, Sigrid Lindmo, Damien Marage, Vitas Marozas, Thomas Niemeyer, Jaanus Paal, Petr Pysek, Elle Roosaluste, Jiri Sadlo, Joop H. J. Schaminee, Torbjorn Tyler, Kris Verheyen, Monika Wulf, Thomas Vanneste, Jon Feilberg, Maris Laivin
Summary: When evaluating forests in terms of biodiversity, the affinity of vascular plant species to forests is an important parameter. In this study on European forests, it was found that generalist forest species significantly outnumbered specialist forest species. Additionally, there was a certain degree of shifting between categories of forest affinity among regions.
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Angelika Nieszala, Daniel Klich, Kajetan Perzanowski, Maciej Januszczak, Aleksandra Woloszyn-Galeza, Wanda Olech
Summary: The damage to trees caused by ungulate species is a natural consequence of their presence in ecosystems. This study aimed to identify the factors that affect the occurrence of damage in forest stands due to the presence of European bison. The results showed that canopy cover, tree species, tree age, and distance to a feeder were the most important factors influencing bark damage.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Wojciech Sobocinski
Summary: Animal reintroduction and relocation are widely used in endangered species protection, with the effectiveness depending on various factors. Studies indicate that translocating large groups of wild animals simultaneously is the most effective method. In the 1860s, there was a plan to relocate European bison herds to other forests, but due to historical, social, and economic factors, the plan was not carried out, potentially missing the chance to prevent the later extinction of European bison in the wild.
Article
Ecology
Bogdan Jaroszewicz, Joanna Borysowicz, Olga Cholewinska
Summary: The study found that European bison prefer to inhabit spruce forests with higher plant species richness and forest floor vegetation cover, enabling them to access a more diverse and abundant food sources.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mirjana Sipek, Lado Kutnar, Aleksander Marinsek, Nina Sajna
Summary: Fragmentation poses a major threat to biodiversity, as forest specialists lose suitable habitats while alien species find opportunities in open forest areas. Fragmentation negatively affects overall plant richness and diversity of native and ancient forest indicator plants, but has a positive effect on alien plants. Large and diverse forest ecosystems are susceptible to biological invasions.
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
A. Akhshik, A. Tusznio, M. Strzelecka
Summary: This study aims to uncover the significance of the environmental context in inducing visitor support for wildlife protection by analyzing memorable tourism experiences in the Bison enclosures in Poland. The results show that memorable experiences play an important role in shaping attitudes and behaviors. Additionally, environmental planners can analyze complex constellations of internal and external factors to identify the conditions that generate visitor support for wildlife protection.
CURRENT ISSUES IN TOURISM
(2023)
Article
Biology
Axel Schwerk, Daniel Klich, Elzbieta Wojtowicz, Wanda Olech
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the impact of European bison grazing on carabid beetle assemblages, finding that high-intensity grazing may increase species numbers, and grazing activity has a greater influence on the ecological characteristics of the assemblages than on species composition.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Anna Widen, Michael Clinchy, Annika M. Felton, Tim R. Hofmeester, Dries P. J. Kuijper, Navinder J. Singh, Fredrik Widemo, Liana Y. Zanette, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt
Summary: Wild ungulates are major consumers of agricultural crops, but also contribute to increasing conflicts between humans and wildlife. Playback of predator vocalizations has been tested in wilderness areas and proven to be effective in reducing prey's resource use and impacts. However, its application in agricultural fields requires further testing.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marcin Churski, Tristan Charles-Dominique, Jakub W. Bubnicki, Bogumila Jedrzejewska, Dries P. J. Kuijper, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt
Summary: Tree architectures are shaped by abiotic and biotic selection pressures. The plasticity of cage architecture in temperate forest tree species reflects adaptation to past mammalian herbivory and challenges the notion of closed-canopy forest communities being solely driven by abiotic drivers. Large herbivores play an important role in shaping the functional traits of temperate tree species.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
David G. Marneweck, Dave J. Druce, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt, Elizabeth le Roux, Michael J. Somers
Summary: This study modeled the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the wild dog population in HiP, South Africa, and found that interspecific competition had a significant impact on population change and survival. Lions negatively affected adult and yearling survival, but pup survival was not affected. Wild dog populations in small protected areas showed high adaptability and could coexist with high levels of interspecific competition.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johan Pansu, Matthew C. Hutchinson, T. Michael Anderson, Mariska te Beest, Colleen M. Begg, Keith S. Begg, Aurelie Bonin, Lackson Chama, Simon Chamaill E-Jammes, Eric Coissac, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt, Margaret Y. Demmel, Jason E. Donaldson, Jennifer A. Guyton, Christina B. Hansen, Christopher I. Imakando, Azwad Iqbal, Davis F. Kalima, Graham I. H. Kerley, Samson Kurukura, Marietjie Landman, Ryan A. Long, Isaack Norbert Munuo, Ciara M. Nutter, Catherine L. Parr, Arjun B. Potter, Stanford Siachoono, Pierre Taberlet, Eusebio Waiti, Tyler R. Kartzinel, Robert M. Pringle
Summary: This study used DNA metabarcoding to analyze the diets of large herbivores in southeastern Africa. The results showed that different herbivore species almost always have differences in their food plants, and these differences are influenced by species interactions and rainfall.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
B. Mols, J. E. Churchill, J. P. G. M. Cromsigt, D. P. J. Kuijper, C. Smit
Summary: This study investigates how human recreational activities influence deer space-use patterns and the spatial distribution of the sheep tick, a vector of zoonotic diseases. The research suggests that trails commonly used for recreation can reduce the abundance of ticks and consequently lower the risk of tick-borne diseases for humans.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hendrik Bluhm, Tom A. A. Diserens, Thomas Engleder, Kaja Heising, Marco Heurich, Tomas Janik, Miloslav Jirku, Daniel Klich, Hannes J. J. Koenig, Rafal Kowalczyk, Dries Kuijper, Weronika Maslanko, Frank-Uwe Michler, Wiebke Neumann, Julian Oeser, Wanda Olech, Kajetan Perzanowski, Miroslaw Ratkiewicz, Dusan Romportl, Martin Salek, Tobias Kuemmerle
Summary: This study aimed to assess the opportunities and limitations for range expansions of European bison and moose in Central Europe. It found widespread suitable habitats for these two species, but also identified human pressure and natural barriers that restrict their recolonization. Conservation measures restoring connectivity are needed to allow these large herbivores to expand their historical ranges.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Bogdan Jaroszewicz, Eric Coissac, Pierre Taberlet, Magdalena Czajkowska, Magdalena Swislocka, Rafal Kowalczyk, Miroslaw Ratkiewicz
Summary: Many plants develop fruits to attract animals for seed dispersion, but some plants with endozoochoric seed dispersion do not have attractive fruits. The Foliage is the Fruit (FF) hypothesis proposes that the entire biomass of plants exists to encourage herbivores to consume them, enhancing seed intake and dispersion. A study tested the FF hypothesis by combining greenhouse seedling emergence and DNA metabarcoding analysis of moose feces, and found that the species composition revealed by the methods did not largely overlap, suggesting a disagreement with the FF hypothesis.
ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Beata Bramorska, Rafal Kowalczyk, Tomasz Kaminski, Tomasz Borowik
Summary: Supplementary feeding is a common wildlife management practice, but it can have unintended negative consequences. In the temperate zone, winter feeding can reduce movement of certain ungulate species, leading to increased utilization of feeding sites and animal aggregation. The intensity of feeding site utilization varies depending on factors such as habitat type, population density, and weather conditions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Robert Spitzer, Eric Coissac, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt, Annika M. Felton, Christian Fohringer, Marietjie Landman, Wiebke Neumann, David Raubenheimer, Navinder J. Singh, Pierre Taberlet, Fredrik Widemo
Summary: Differences in botanical diet compositions correlated with nutritional differences in moose faecal samples collected during winter. Moose mixed Scots pine and Vaccinium spp. as complementary foods to reach a nutritional target resembling Salix spp. twigs and selected for Salix spp. browse. Available protein and total non-structural carbohydrates showed significant correlation in observed diets.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tanja K. K. Petersen, Anders L. L. Kolstad, Jari Kouki, Shawn J. J. Leroux, Lynette R. R. Potvin, Jean-Pierre Tremblay, Martha Wallgren, Fredrik Widemo, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt, Coline Courtois, Gunnar Austrheim, John Gosse, Michael den Herder, Luise Hermanutz, James D. M. Speed
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of moose on forest canopies across the boreal biome through distributed exclosure experiments. The results showed a uniform response of forest canopies to moose across regions, regardless of environmental gradients. Moose led to a decrease in canopy height, complexity, and above-ground biomass.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Julian Oeser, Marco Heurich, Stephanie Kramer-Schadt, Henrik Andren, Guna Bagrade, Elisa Belotti, Ludek Bufka, Christine Breitenmoser-Wursten, Rok Cerne, Martin Dul'a, Christian Fuxjager, Tomislav Gomercic, Wlodzimierz Jedrzejewski, Raido Kont, Petr Koubek, Rafal Kowalczyk, Miha Krofel, Jarmila Krojerova-Prokesova, Jakub Kubala, Josip Kusak, Miroslav Kutal, John D. C. Linnell, Jenny Mattisson, Anja Molinari-Jobin, Peep Mannil, John Odden, Henryk Okarma, Teresa Oliveira, Nives Pagon, Jens Persson, Jaanus Remm, Krzysztof Schmidt, Sven Signer, Branislav Tam, Kristina Vogt, Fridolin Zimmermann, Tobias Kuemmerle
Summary: Adjustments in habitat use by large carnivores in response to human pressure and landscape composition are crucial for their coexistence with humans. This study focuses on Eurasian lynx and reveals their adaptive capacity towards human pressure and the importance of refuge habitats in enabling coexistence. The findings highlight the role of landscape composition in shaping large carnivore habitat use and distributions.
Article
Ecology
Sheila M. Holmes, Sabrina Dressel, Julien Morel, Robert Spitzer, John P. Ball, Goran Ericsson, Navinder J. Singh, Fredrik Widemo, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt, Kjell Danell
Summary: Climate change has become a challenging issue for the ecological environment. The (sub) arctic and boreal regions experience the most rapid warming, making them ideal for studying the impact of climate change on mammals. Moose serve as a relevant model species due to their circumpolar range, and their population declines in the southern edge are linked to rising temperatures. This study examines the direct and indirect pathways linking temperature, precipitation, food quality, and moose calf mass in northern Sweden, with temperature showing stronger relationships than other factors.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Oswald J. Schmitz, Magnus Sylven, Trisha B. Atwood, Elisabeth S. Bakker, Fabio Berzaghi, Jedediah F. Brodie, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt, Andrew B. Tilker, Shawn J. Leroux, Frans J. Schepers, Felisa A. Smith, Sari Stark, Jens-Christian Svenning, Andrew B. Tilker, Henni Ylanne
Summary: The authors argue for the importance of including animals in natural climate solutions, as the restoration and conservation of wild animals and their functional roles can enhance natural carbon capture and storage. They believe that this approach can contribute to preventing climate warming beyond 1.5 degrees C. However, they point out that the current understanding undervalues the role animals play in controlling the carbon cycle.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julian Oeser, Marco Heurich, Stephanie Kramer-Schadt, Jenny Mattisson, Miha Krofel, Jarmila Krojerova-Prokesova, Fridolin Zimmermann, Ole Anders, Henrik Andren, Guna Bagrade, Elisa Belotti, Christine Breitenmoser-Wuersten, Ludek Bufka, Rok Cerne, Nolwenn Drouet-Hoguet, Martin Dula, Christian Fuxjaeger, Tomislav Gomercic, Wlodzimierz Jedrzejewski, Raido Kont, Petr Koubek, Rafal Kowalczyk, Josip Kusak, Jakub Kubala, Miroslav Kutal, John D. C. Linnell, Anja Molinari-Jobin, Peep Maennil, Tomma Lilli Middelhoff, John Odden, Henryk Okarma, Teresa Oliveira, Nives Pagon, Jens Persson, Jaanus Remm, Krzysztof Schmidt, Sven Signer, Branislav Tam, Kristina Vogt, Tobias Kuemmerle
Summary: The study compares different approaches for large-area habitat mapping and assesses available habitat for the Eurasian lynx. The results show that global and local modelling strategies can achieve robust habitat models at the continental scale. The study also emphasizes the importance of considering regional variation in habitat selection for broad-scale habitat mapping.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marta Kolodziej-Sobocinska, Aleksander W. Demiaszkiewicz, Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch, Tomasz Borowik, Rafa l Kowalczyk
Summary: Parasitic infections in wildlife are influenced by factors related to wildlife management, such as supplementary feeding and winter ranging behavior. This study analyzed the impact of supplementary feeding and winter ranging of European bison herds on the infection dynamics and severity of Ashworthius sidemi, a blood-sucking nematode. The results showed that European bison fed with supplementary feeding had higher parasitic load compared to non-fed individuals, and different management strategies influenced the spread and dynamics of the parasite.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2023)