Abstract This is a report about the second year of collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and Björn & Vildmark with the overall purpose of researching the behaviour of free ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) in central Sweden for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project (SBBRP). This collaboration investigates, amongst other topics, how climate change as well as human activities affect the brown bear behaviour and population, and provides managers in Sweden with solid, science-based knowledge to manage brown bears. From 28 May to 4 June 2022, six citizen scientists collected data on bear denning behaviour and feeding ecology by investigating the 2021/2022 hibernation season den sites of GPS-marked brown bears and by collecting fresh scats from day bed sites. All field work was performed in the northern boreal forest zone in Dalarna and Gävleborg counties, south-central Sweden, which is the southern study area of the SBBRP. After two days of field work training, citizen scientists were divided into three to four sub-teams each day. All study positions were provided by the expedition scientist and only data and samples from radio-marked bears with a VHF or GPS transmitter were collected. Citizen scientists defined den types (anthill den, soil den, rock den, basket den or uprooted tree den), recorded bed material thickness, size and content, as well as all tracks and signs around the den sites to elucidate whether a female had given birth to cubs during hibernation. All first scats after hibernation and hair samples from the bed were collected, and the habitat type around the den and the visibility of the den site were described. Twenty-six winter positions of 21 different bears were investigated. Two bears shifted their dens at least once during the hibernation season. In total, the expedition found 23 dens; two soil dens, eight anthill dens, one anthill/soil den, one stone/rock den, four dens under uprooted trees and seven basket dens. Unusually, one pregnant female that gave birth to three cubs during winter, and four females that hibernated together with dependent offspring spent the winter in basket dens. Normally basket dens are mainly used by large males. Excavated bear dens had an average outer length of 2.0 m, an outer width of 2.2 m, and an outer height of 0.8 m. The entrance on average comprised 28% of the open area. The inner length of the den was on average 1.3 m and the inner width was 1.1 m. The inner height of the dens was on average 0.6 m. Bears that hibernated in covered dens used mainly mosses (47%), field layer shrubs (36%) and branches (14%) as nest material, which reflected the composition of the field layer and ground layer that was present at the den site. However, bears that hibernated in open dens such as basket dens, preferred branches (43%) followed by grass (26%); mosses (19%) and field shrubs (12%) as nest material. The expedition found two first post-hibernation bear scats at the den sites. Ten bears selected their den sites in older forests, and eleven bears in younger forests, only two bears hibernated in very young forest. The habitat around the dens was dominated by spruce (Picea abies) 37%, scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) 35% and birch (Betula pendula, Betula pubescens) 27%. As part of its intensive data collection activities, the expedition investigated about half of all winter den positions that the SBBRP recorded in 2021/2022 and collected 64 scats at cluster positions, which represents all scat samples that the SBBRP normally collects during a time period of 14 days. A detailed food item analysis will be performed in 2025 and the data will be published. It appears that climate change is altering bear denning behaviour and may reduce food resources that bears need for fat production. Overharvesting (hunting) of bears and habitat destruction are the major reasons why brown bear populations have declined or have become fragmented in much of their range. In Scandinavia, human activity around den sites has been suggested as the main reason why bears abandon their dens. This can reduce the reproductive success of pregnant female brown bears and increases the chance of human/bear conflict. Understanding denning behaviour is critical for effective bear conservation. Further research is needed to determine whether good denning strategies help bears avoid being disturbed. Additionally, enclosed dens offer protection and insulation from inclement weather. A continued fragmentation of present bear ranges, inhibiting dispersal, together with an increasing bear population, might lead to bears denning closer to human activities than at present, thereby increasing human/bear conflict. The dens that were investigated by the expedition were visible from 22 m on average. Cover opportunities and terrain types not preferred by humans are thereby presumably important for bears that are denning relatively close to human activities, but further research needs to be done to validate this theory. Through all of the above, the expedition made a very significant contribution to the SBBRP’s field work in a showcase of how citizen science can supplement existing research projects run by professional scientists. Sammandrag Detta är en rapport om det andra året av samarbete mellan Biosphere Expeditions och Björn & Vildmark med det övergripande syftet att forska om beteendet hos vild levande brunbjörnar (Ursus arctos) i mellansverige för det skandinaviska björnforskningsprojektet (SBBRP). Samarbetet undersöker bland annat hur klimatförändringar och mänsklig aktivitet påverkar brunbjörnens beteende och population, och ger myndigheter i Sverige gedigen, vetenskapligt baserad kunskap för att förvalta brunbjörnstammen. Från den 28 maj till den 4 juni 2022 samlade sju expeditionsdeltagare in data om björnens idesval och födoval. De undersökte idesplatserna där björnar har legat i vintersömnen under säsongen 2021-2022 och de samlade samla färsk spillning från daglegor från GPS-märkta brunbjörnar. Allt fältarbete utfördes i norra boreala skogszonen i Dalarna och Gävleborgs län, södra mellersta Sverige, som är SBBRP:s södra studieområde. Efter två dagars utbildning inom fältarbete delades expeditionsdeltagaren in i tre till fyra grupper. Alla studiepositioner tillhandahölls av expeditionsforskaren och endast data och prover från radiomärkta björnar med en VHF- eller GPS-sändare samlades in. Expeditionsdeltagaren definierade idestyper (myrstackide, jordiden, steniden, korgiden eller iden under en rotvälta), och undersökte bäddmaterialet i idet, samt alla spår och tecken runt iden för att ta reda på om en hona hade född ungar under vintern. Alla första spillningar samlades in samt och hårprover från bäddmaterialed. Dessutom beskrevs habitatet och hur dold idet var placerad i terrängen. 26 vinterpositioner för 21 olika björnar undersöktes. Två björnar flyttade från sina iden minst en gång under vintersömnen. Totalt hittade expeditionsdeltagaren 23 iden; två jordiden, åtta myrstackiden, ett myrstackide / jordide, ett steniden, fyra iden under en rotvälta och sju korgiden. Ovanligt nog övervintrade en dräktig björnhona ett korgide där hon födde sina ungar under vintern. Dessutom övervintrade fyra honor med ungar i olika korgiden. Vanligtvis är det framförallt hanbjörnar som använder korgiden. Utgrävda björniden hade en genomsnittlig yttre längd på 2,0 och yttre bredd på 2,2 m och en yttre höjd av 0,8 m. Ingången utgjorde i genomsnitt 28% av det öppna yta. Den inre längden på idet var i genomsnitt 1,3 m och den inre bredden 1,1 m. Den inre höjden på idena var i genomsnitt 0,6 m. Björnar använde främst grenar (43%), gräs (26%) bärris (12%) och mossor (19%) som bäddmaterial, vilket återspeglade sammansättningen av fältskiktet och jordskiktet som fanns vid idesplatsen. Expeditionsdeltagare hittade två första björnspillningar efter vintersömnen. Tio björnar valde bygga sina iden i äldre skogar, elva i yngre skogar och två björnar övervintrade i väldigt ung skog. Habitatet runt idesplatsen dominerades av tall (Pinus sylvestris) 35%, gran (Picea abies) 37%, och björk (Betula pendula, Betula pubescens) 27%. Expeditionen undersökte ungefär hälften av alla vinterpositioner som SBBRP registrerade under 2021/2022 och samlade in 63 spillningar på klusterpositioner, vilket motsvarar alla av de spillnings-prover som björnprojektet normalt samlar in under en tidsperiod på 14 dagar. En detaljerad spillnings analys kommer att genomföras under 2025 och uppgifterna kommer att publiceras efteråt. Genom allt ovanstående gav expeditionen ett mycket viktigt bidrag till SBBRP: s fältarbete som visade hur expeditionsdeltagare kan komplettera befintliga forskningsprojekt som drivs av professionella forskare. Klimatförändringar förändrar björnens beteende och kan minska födotillgången. Intensiv björnjakt och förstörelse av habitat är de främsta orsakerna till att populationer av brunbjörnar har minskat eller blivit fragmenterade i stora delar av världen. I Skandinavien är mänsklig aktivitet kring idesplatser troligtvis det främsta skälet varför björnar byta iden. Detta kan minska reproduktionen bland dräktiga björnhonor och ökar risken för konflikt mellan människor och björnar. Förståelse av vinterbeteende är avgörande för effektiv bevarande av björnen. Ytterligare forskning behövs för att avgöra om goda vinterstrategier hjälper björnar att undvika störningar. Dessutom erbjuder väl isolerade ide skydd från dåligt väder. En fortsatt fragmentering av nuvarande björnstammen, som hämmar spridning, tillsammans med en ökande björnpopulation, kan leda till att björnar kommer närmare mänsklig bebyggelse, vilket ökar konflikterna mellan människa och björnar. De iden som undersöktes av expeditionen var synliga från 22 m i genomsnitt. Täta terrängtyper som inte föredras av människor är därmed förmodligen viktiga för björnar som bygger sina iden relativt nära mänsklig bebyggelse, men ytterligare forskning måste göras för att validera denna teori.

Abstract In 2022 Biosphere Expeditions concluded its 16th year of cetacean photo-identification and distribution studies in the Azores, after a two-year break for COVID-19. The expedition was based in Horta on the island of Faial and work was conducted around the three islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge. The expedition ran from 21 March to 21 April 2022. 139 sightings of 10 different species of cetacean and 15 turtles were recorded during the expedition period. Baleen whale Photo-ID: Blue Whale: The expedition saw 3 blue whales in 2 encounters. Photos of individuals were shared with catalogues in Spain, Iceland and Canada. The two individuals that were seen together were seen previously in the Azores. Matches were made mainly by Richard Sears of Mingan Island Cetacean Society. Humpback whale: There were 6 humpback whales observed during the expedition in 3 encounters, including a leucistic animal that was over 95% white. Two matches to animals previously seen in the North Atlantic, including the leucistic animal were found. The North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalogue currently holds over 11,000 individuals and plays an important role in discovering long-range matches. Since 2004 the expedition has contributed 26 ID photos. Matching movements to populations is important, because little is known about the movements of the eastern Atlantic humpback whales. Matches are also attempted online through Happywhale as well as being sent to other individuals working around the North Atlantic. Minke whale: A single minke whale was seen during the expedition. Summary: While still not as abundant as in previous years (2014-2017), more baleen whales were seen in 2022. More blue, fin and humpback whales were seen after the expedition. Sperm whale photo-ID: Sperm whales were seen multiple times during the expedition. Sperm whale photo-identification, ongoing since 1987 in the Azores, continued. 44 identifiable individuals were photographed from 70 encounters, including 19 animals seen in previous years in the Azores. Matches now indicate that most of the males we observe migrate to Norway and that females spend their whole lives together, and undertake at least a limited migration. In addition, sperm whale groups observed in the Azores are more stable and associations between individuals last for a much longer period of time than they do in the Pacific. This is most likely due to food availability in the different oceans. Dolphins: Dolphin photo-identification, which began in 1987, also continued. Two of our main dolphin photo-ID target species were encountered: 5 groups of Risso’s dolphin and 4 groups of bottlenose dolphin were recorded. In addition, there was a group of false killer whales, which are not encountered that frequently. Both the bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins seen are known groups and the false killer whale group also had several known individuals. Europhlukes & Flukematcher: Sperm whale fluke shape extractions were made from the photos taken during the expedition and compared with those of sperm whales sighted in previous years and in other areas of the Atlantic. No matches were found to any other regions. POPA: Data for the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP) of the University of the Azores, for the Tuna Boat Observer programme, POPA, was successfully collected for a seventeenth year. The expedition vessel “Physeter” is the only non-fishing vessel in the programme. Information was collected for random cetacean sightings along transects, as well as designated turtle and bird count attempts and marine debris sightings. Turtles: Loggerhead turtle data have been collected and animals tagged in the Azores since 1988 for a joint venture between the University of Florida and the University of the Azores. During this expedition 15 loggerhead turtles were seen, but none were caught and tagged due to weather conditions, other research priorities or turtles diving. Sumário A Biosphere Expeditions 2022 concluiu o seu décimo sétimo ano de recolha de dados sobre a distribuição de cetáceos nos Açores, com recurso a observações visuais e foto-identificação, após uma pause por 2 anos para o Covid 19. A cidade da Horta, na ilha do Faial, foi a base da expedição e o trabalho foi conduzido em redor das três ilhas do Faial, Pico e São Jorge. Esta expedição decorreu entre 21 de Março e 21 de Abril 2022. Avistamentos de todas as espécies de cetáceos foram registrados. 139 avistamentos de 10 espécies diferentes de cetáceos e 15 tartarugas foram registrados durante o período da expedição. Baleias de barbas photo-ID. Baleia Azul: A expedição viu 3 baleias azuis em 2 encontros. Fotos de indivíduos foram compartilhadas com catálogos na Espanha, Islândia e Canadá. Os dois indivíduos que foram vistos juntos foram vistos anteriormente nos Açores. As partidas são feitas principalmente por Richard Sears da Mingan Island Cetacean Society. Baleia de bossas: Foram observadas 6 baleias de bossas durante a expedição em 3 encontros, incluindo um animal leucístico que era mais de 95% branco!! Foram encontradas duas correspondências com animais anteriormente vistos no Atlântico Norte, incluindo o animal leucístico. O Catálogo de Baleias de Bossas do Atlântico Norte atualmente possui mais de 11.000 indivíduos e desempenha um papel importante na descoberta de correspondências de longo alcance. Desde 2004, a expedição contribuiu com 26 fotos de identificação. A correspondência dos movimentos com as populações é importante, porque pouco se sabe sobre os movimentos das baleias de bossas do Atlântico oriental. As partidas também são tentadas on-line através do Happywhale, além de serem enviadas para outras pessoas que trabalham no Atlântico Norte. Baleia anã: Uma única baleia anã foi vista durante a expedição. Sumário: Embora ainda não abundantes como nos anos anteriores (2014-2017), mais baleias de barbas foram vistas em 2022. Mais baleias azuis, barbatanas e bossas foram vistas após a expedição. Esperemos que esta tendência continue. Cachalote: Cachalotes foram vistos várias vezes durante a expedição. Desde 1987 que está em curso nos Açores um programa de foto-identificação de cachalotes. Foram fotografados 44 indivíduos identificáveis em 70 encontros, incluindo reavistamentos de 19 animais vistos em anos anteriores. As reavistamentos detectados agora indicam que a maioria dos machos que observamos migra para as águas Noruega e as fêmeas passam a vida em grupos e efectuam migração/movimentações mais limitada. Para além disso, os grupos de cachalotes observados nos Açores são mais estáveis e as associações entre indivíduos permanecem por períodos mais longos do que as que ocorrem no Pacífico. Este facto deve-se, provavelmente, à diferença de disponibilidade de alimento entre ambas as áreas. Golfinhos: A foto-identificação de golfinhos, que iniciou em 1987, tem continuado. Duas das nossas principais espécies-alvo de identificação de golfinhos foram encontradas: foram registrados 5 grupos de grampos e 4 grupos de roaz. Além disso, tínhamos um grupo de falsas orcas, que não são encontradas com tanta frequência. Embora os roaz e os grampos sejam grupos conhecidos e o grupo de falsas orcas também tinha alguns indivíduos conhecidos. Europhlukes & Fluketracker: As extrações de forma de cauda de cachalote foram feitas a partir das fotos tiradas durante a expedição e comparadas com as de cachalotes avistados em anos anteriores e em outras áreas do Atlântico. Nenhum dos cachalotes fotografados nos Açores foi reavistado noutras áreas. POPA: Pelo décimo sétimo ano foram recolhidos dados para o Programa de Observação das Pescas nos Açores (POPA) coordenado pelo Centro do Instituto do Mar da Universidade dos Açores. O “Physeter” é a única embarcação que não se dedica à pesca comercial e que contribui para o POPA. A informação foi recolhida aleatoriamente ao longo de transectos de observação de cetáceos. Foram também efectuadas tentativas para contagem de tartarugas, aves marinhas e avistamentos de lixo marinho. Tartarugas: As tartarugas Caretta caretta são capturadas e marcadas nos Açores desde 1988, para um projecto conjunto entre a Universidade da Flórida e a Universidade dos Açores. Durante esta expedição, 7 tartarugas-boba foram avistadas, mas nenhuma foi capturada ou marcada devido às condições meteorológicas, outras prioridades ou mergulho de tartarugas.

Abstract This report covers the sixth year of field research in northern Slovakia’s Veľká Fatra National Park with the support of citizen scientists and the aim of collecting biological information to improve management practices for bears (Ursus arctos), wolves (Canis lupus), lynx (Lynx lynx) and wildcat (Felis silvestris) in the park. Fieldwork was conducted from 6 to 17 February 2017 and concentrated on the Ľubochnianska valley. The study was a collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and Environmental Society LENS. It used a cell-based occupancy approach and recorded signs (such as footprints, animal trails of footprints, scats, feeding remains, marking points) of large carnivores and their prey. Samples such as scats and urine were also collect for batch DNA analysis. Camera traps were also used. The different recording methods showed that snow-tracking can yield a substantially higher amount of distribution information on lynx, wolf, bear and wildcat range than any other observation technique employed. The survey area was divided into cells of 2.5 x 2.5 km size. During the expedition 27 transects were surveyed with a total length of 344,56 km, covering 22 cells. The average length of a transect was 12.76 km and the total area surveyed was 137.5 km2. Signs of target species were recorded in 17 out of the 22 cells surveyed. In terms of frequency, it was the best year in the history of the expedition. A total of 219 trails and tracks left by target species were recorded, of which 23 were identified as being left by lynx (11%), 75 by wolf (34%), 110 by bear (50%) and 11 by wildcat (5%). Twenty camera traps were placed in a total of 23 positions and took 4290 photographs. Three camera trap recorded wolf (Canis lupus), two recorded lynx (Lynx lynx) and one wildcat (Felis silvestris). Fox (Vulpes vulpes), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), pine martin (Martes martes) and squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) were also photographed. Eight samples (3 scats and 5 urine samples) were collected for DNA analysis, four of which (50%) were assumed, from footprints, to be from wolf, two urine samples from lynx (25%) and two scats sample (25%) from bear. All samples are currently awaiting DNA analysis to confirm species and enable identification of individuals. Survey results since 2012 suggest that the lynx population in Veľká Fatra National Park is relatively stable. During normal winters, the lynx’s main prey, the deer, concentrate in the valleys where they are fed at feeding stations by hunters and foresters to ensure an artificially high deer population for hunting purposes. This abundant food supply is likely to be one important reason for the lynx’s stable population in the park, as is the high protection status of the species in Slovakia. In 2017 wolf signs scored their second highest frequency since 2012, but were detected in the second lowest number of cells (n=10), probably associated with normal winter conditions, which meant that prey animals were concentrated in valley bottoms and for that reason wolf signs were found predominantly in the central and lower parts of the valley. The correlation between winter severity and the distribution of prey, and therefore wolves, in the valley is strong, corroborating findings from previous years. Here too artificially high deer prey populations, combined with the wolf’s relatively high protection status in Slovakia, appears to contribute to a relatively stable presence of wolves in Veľká Fatra National Park. A record log of 110 bear footprints found indicate that they were not hibernating and able to feed on the very high amount of beech fruits (Fagus silvaticus) present. This corroborates findings of the mild winter of 2014. In any case, bear presence too appears to be relatively stable in Veľká Fatra National Park. Finally, the wildcat population appears to be stable, if small, as well as evidenced by consistent sign records noted by the expeditions, once each in 2016, 2015 and 2013, six times in 2014 and eleven times in 2017. This research project had to wind down after the 2017 expedition, because our permit expired and was not renewed by the National Park. The second editor (MH) believes this is due to widespread corruption and destructive practices in Slovakian parks, which authorities did not want to be documented. Súhrn Súhrnná správa zo šiesteho ročníka terénneho monitoringu na severe Slovenska v Národnom parku Veľká Fatra s podporou domáceho výskumníka s cieľom získať biologické informácie a prispieť k zlepšeniu menežmentových opatrení pre medveďa hnedého (Ursus arctos), vlka dravého (Canis lupus), rysa ostrovida (Lynx lynx) a mačky divej (Felis silvestris). Terénny monitoring sa sústredil na Ľubochniansku dolinu v období od 6. februára do 17. februára 2017. Táto správa je spoluprácou medzi organizáciami Biosphere Expeditions a Environmentálnou spoločnosťou LENS. Využíva metódu prezencie/absencie v EEA sieti štvorcov a zaznamenáva pobytové znaky (stopy, stopové dráhy, exkrementy, zbytky potravy a značkovacie miesta) predátorov a ich koristi. Vzorky ako exkrementy, chlpy a moč sú zhromažďované za účelom DNA analýzy. Využívané sú aj fotopasce. Tieto rôzne metódy zaznamenávania pobytových znakov naznačujú, že zimné stopovanie môže priniesť podstatne väčšie množstvo informácií o rysoch, vlkoch, medveďoch a mačke divej, než akékoľvek iné metódy pozorovania v teréne. Záujmové územie bolo rozdelené na kvadranty o veľkosti 2,5 x 2,5 km. Počas terénneho výskumu bolo monitorovaných 27 transektov v celkovej dľžke 344,56 km, zahŕňajúcich 22 kvadrantov. Priemerná dĺžka transektu bola 12,76 km. Pobytové znaky záujmových druhov sme zaznamenali v 17 z 22 preskúmaných kvadrantov, z hľadiska zaznamenávania stop to bol najlepší rok v histórii expedície. Identifikovaných bolo 219 nálezov stôp a stopových dráh záujmových druhov: 23 patrilo rysovi ostrovidovi (Lynx lynx) (11%), 75 vlkovi dravému (34%), 110 medveďovi hnedému (50%) a 11 stôp patrilo mačke divej (5%). Dvadsať fotopascí bolo umiestnených na 23 miestach v záujmovom území. Získali sme 4290 fotografií. Tri fotopasce zaznamenali vlka dravého (Canis lupus), dve zachytili rysa ostrovida (Lynx lynx) a jedna mačku divú (Felis silvestris). Ďalšie fotografované druhy boli: líška hrdzavá (Vulpes vulpes), jeleň lesný (Cervus elaphus), srnec hôrny (Capreolus capreolus), diviak lesný (Sus scrofa), kunalesná (Martes martes) a vevericu hrdzavú (Sciurus vulgaris). Nájdených bolo 8 vzoriek na DNA analýzu (3x trus, 5x moč). Na základe stôp pri vzorke boli zaistené 4 vzorky (50%) vlka dravého, dve vzorky moču patrili rysovi ostrovidovi (25%) a dve vzorky (25%) trusu patrili medveďovi hnedému. Vzorky zatiaľ čakajú na DNA analýzu, ktorá by mala potvrdiť predpokladané druhy zvierat a identifikovať jednotlivé individuá. Prieskum, ktorý sa uskutočňuje od roku 2012 poukazuje na fakt, že populácia rysa ostrovida v Národnom Parku Veľká Fatra je viac menej stabilná. Počas štandardných zimných podmienok, hlavná potrava rysa – srnčia zver je koncentrovaná v dolinách, kde sú prikrmované lesníkmi a poľovníkmi za účelom udržania stavu raticovej zvery a na poľovné účely. Bohatá potravná ponuka je jedným z hlavných dôvodov stabilnej populácie rysa ostrovida, tak ako aj jeho celoročná ochrana na území Slovenska. V roku 2017 boli pobytové znaky vlkov zaznamené v najvyššej miere od roku 2012, ale boli detekované v druhom najmenšom počte kvadrantov (n=10), pravdepodobne kvôli štandardným zimným podmienkam, kedy je korisť vlkov sústredená v doline, a tak ich pobytové znaky sme v prevažnej miere zaznamenali v centrálnych a nižších častiach doliny. V skutočnosti zaznamenávame silný vzťah medzi zimnými podmienkami a distribúciou vlčej koristi a následne vlkov v údolných častiach doliny. Dostatočná potravná ponuka jelenej zvery a relatívne vysoká zákonná ochrana vlka na Slovensku prispieva ku konzistentnej prítomnosti vlka dravého v Národnom parku Veľká Fatra. 110 stopových dráh medveďa hnedého naznačuje, že nehibernovali a boli si schopné nájsť potravu v podobe veľkého množstva bukvíc (Fagus silvaticus). Podobná situácia nastala počas miernej zimy v roku 2014. V každom prípade, môžeme konštatovať, že populácia medveďa hnedého v Národnom parku Veľká Fatra je taktiež stabilná. Populácia mačky divej vyzerá byť malá a stabilná. Tento fakt potvrdzujú nálezy pobytových znakov raz v rokoch 2016, 2015 a 2013 a šesťkrát v roku 2014 a jedenásť krát v roku 2017.

Abstract Biosphere Expeditions and WWF Indonesia ran their third joint expedition with citizen scientists in and around Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Reserve (BRBBWR), Riau Province, Sumatra, Indonesia, from 30 July to 1 September 2017. The expedition study was a follow-up of the two previous studies in 2015 and 2016, with the tiger and its habitat as the focal point, including prey species and species that contribute to information on tiger habitat quality, or human disturbance of these. In an effort to support tiger conservation in BRBBWR, the objectives of this activity continued to be (1) to conduct long-term tiger and habitat monitoring in locations of high human disturbance along the Subayang river and (2) to involve and engage with local communities in order to raise their awareness of and support for tiger and habitat conservation. Detection-nondetection surveys for tigers and prey species were conducted on foot or by boat, covering BRBBWR along the Subayang river, which served as a convenient travel route and access point for survey teams. The methods employed to record species (mammals and large birds) involved recording species presence-absence and frequency of individuals in a grid of 2x2 km cells by means such as signs, sightings and calls. Seventeen camera traps were also employed to record species presence. The study was designed to compare the presence of species in cells with and without households (herein coded as village and non-village cells) in order to investigate whether proximity to villages had any influence on species distribution in the forest. To this end, the team surveyed target cells using a standardised datasheet for camera trapping and sign detection. In addition, we also interviewed villagers about tiger and other key wildlife species presence and interaction. We surveyed fourteen cells (three village and eleven non-village), recording fourteen wildlife species (including water buffalo Bubalus bubalis) in four mammal genera, plus two large bird species. Except for the wild boar Sus scrofa, the sun bear Helarctos malayanus and the water buffalo, all species occurred rarely (≤ 5 of presence in cells), hampering any further analysis. The water buffalo and wild boar were found to be evenly distributed in village and non-village cells. No tiger signs were recorded. We recorded three main tiger prey species: barking deer Muntiacus muntjak, pig-tailed macaque Macaca nemestrina and wild boar. The highest number of camera trap RAI (relative abundance index) of species was wild boar (15.70) followed by pig-tailed macaque (8.26) and long-tailed macaque Macaca fascicularis (3.31), which is not considered a tiger prey species. RAI for barking deer, a large tiger prey species, was 1.65.The Endangered (EN) gibbon Hylobates agilis and the siamang Symphalangus syndactylus were present in four and eight cells respectively, but we did not capture either species in camera traps as they are arboreal. We also recorded secondary prey species such as the common porcupine Hystrix brachyura, the great argus pheasant Argusianus argus, both at low rates (RAI 0 and 2.48 respectively). The presence of all these species is typical of good tiger habitat, although no tiger signs were recorded. We interviewed 14 villagers, 8 of whom reported having seen tigers and tiger tracks. Most villagers (n=12, 86%) said they were scared of tigers, nine of whom felt the presence of tigers had a detrimental effect on the area. However, all but one interviewee understood that tigers were protected in Indonesia and eleven interviewees (79%) agreed that this should be so. We found 25 incidences of tiger threat, including two prey species snares in two cells. Illegal logging was very common (10 cells, 71%) and we also encountered people with firearms. The majority of threats occurred in the buffer zone of the reserve. Finally, we visited four elementary schools in three villages, involving 68 pupils in presentations as well as talks about tiger and general conservation. Abstrak Biosphere Expeditions dan WWF Indonesia atas izin BBKSDA Riau kembali melakukan ekspedisi gabungan untuk ketiga kalinya bersama dengan sukarelawan global di Suaka Margasatwa Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling (SMBRBB) dan sekitarnya, Provinsi Riau, Sumatera, Indonesia, dari 30 Juli hingga 1 September 2017. Studi ekspedisi ini merupakan tindak lanjut dari dua studi sebelumnya pada tahun 2015 dan 2016, dengan harimau dan habitatnya sebagai focal point, termasuk satwa mangsa dan spesies lain yang berkontribusi pada informasi kualitas habitat harimau, atau gangguan manusia terhadap hal tersebut. Kegiatan ini dilakukan dalam upaya mendukung pelestarian harimau di SMBRBB dengan melanjutkan tujuan kegiatan sebelumnya yaitu (1) melakukan pemantauan harimau dan habitat jangka panjang di lokasi-lokasi yang memiliki tingkat gangguan manusia tinggi di sepanjang sungai Subayang dan (2) melibatkan dan melibatkan masyarakat lokal dalam rangka untuk meningkatkan kesadaran dan dukungan mereka terhadap konservasi harimau dan habitatnya. Survei deteksi-non-deteksi untuk harimau dan spesies mangsa dilakukan dengan berjalan kaki atau dengan perahu, meliputi kawasan SMBRBB utamanya di sepanjang sungai Subayang, yang berfungsi sebagai jalur perjalanan dan titik akses yang nyaman bagi tim survei. Metode yang digunakan untuk mencatat spesies (mamalia dan burung besar) melalui pencatatan keberadaan-ketiadaan spesies dan frekuensi individu dalam sel pengamatan berukuran 2x2 km dengan mencatat temuan seperti tanda, penampakan dan suara satwa. Tujuh belas kamera penjebak juga digunakan untuk merekam keberadaan spesies. Penelitian ini dirancang untuk membandingkan keberadaan spesies dalam sel dengan dan tanpa keberadaan desa (selanjutnya dikodekan sebagai sel desa dan non desa) untuk mengetahui apakah kedekatan dengan desa berpengaruh terhadap distribusi spesies di hutan. Untuk tujuan ini, tim tersebut mensurvei sel target menggunakan lembar data standar untuk survei kamera penjebak dan deteksi tanda. Selain itu, kami juga mewawancarai penduduk desa tentang keberadaan dan interaksi harimau dan spesies satwa liar utama lainnya. Kami mensurvei empat belas sel (tiga desa dan sebelas non-desa), mencatat empat belas spesies mamalia yang berbeda (termasuk kerbau Bubalus bubalis) dalam empat genera mamalia, ditambah dua spesies burung besar. Kecuali babi hutan Sus scrofa, beruang madu Helarctos malayanus dan kerbau, semua spesies jarang ditemukan (≤ 5 keberadaan dalam sel), sehingga menghambat analisis lebih lanjut. Kerbau dan babi hutan ditemukan tersebar merata di sel desa dan non desa. Tidak ada tanda-tanda harimau yang dijumpai. Kami mencatat tiga spesies utama mangsa harimau: kijang Muntiacus muntjak, kera ekor babi Macaca nemestrina dan babi hutan. Jumlah RAI (indeks kelimpahan relatif) kamera penjebak tertinggi adalah babi hutan (15,70) diikuti oleh monyet ekor babi (8,26) dan kera ekor panjang Macaca fascicularis (3,31), yang tidak termasuk jenis mangsa harimau. Kijang sebagai spesies mangsa harimau besar memiliki RAI adalah 1,65. Jenis owa yang terancam punah (EN) Hylobates agilis dan siamang Symphalangus syndactylus dijumpai di masing-masing empat dan delapan sel, tetapi kami tidak merekam salah satu spesies tersebut di kamera penjebak karena mereka adalah satwa arboreal. Kami juga mencatat spesies mangsa sekunder seperti landak umum Hystrix brachyura, burung kuau raja Argusianus argus, keduanya memiliki kelimpahan rendah (RAI 0 dan 2,48 masing-masing). Keberadaan semua spesies tersebut menjadi ciri khas bahwa habitat harimau masih baik, meskipun tidak ada tanda-tanda harimau yang tercatat. Kami mewawancarai 14 penduduk desa, 8 di antaranya melaporkan pernah melihat harimau dan jejak harimau. Sebagian besar penduduk desa (n = 12, 86%) mengatakan bahwa mereka takut pada harimau, sembilan di antaranya merasa keberadaan harimau berdampak buruk bagi kawasan tersebut. Namun, semua kecuali satu orang yang diwawancarai memahami bahwa harimau dilindungi di Indonesia dan sebelas orang yang diwawancarai (79%) setuju bahwa seharusnya demikian. Kami menemukan 25 keberadaan ancaman harimau, termasuk dua jerat mangsa harimau dalam dua sel berbeda. Penebangan liar sangat umum (10 sel, 71%). Mayoritas ancaman terjadi di zona penyangga suaka margasatwa tersebut. Terakhir, kami mengunjungi empat sekolah dasar di tiga desa, melibatkan 68 siswa dalam presentasi serta berdiskusi tentang harimau dan konservasi secara umum.

Abstract The successful collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), initiated in 2012, continues with citizen scientists collecting data for the ninth successive expedition from 18 to 25 January 2020. The 2020 expedition’s quadrant surveys recorded the following species from 256 random observations, 16 feed spot counts and 62 circular observations: 792 Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryx, 280 Arabian gazelle Gazella arabica, 95 sand gazelle Gazella marica, 18 Arabian great grey shrikes Lanius excubitor aucheri, 12 lappet-faced vultures Torgos tracheliotos, 9 MacQueen’s bustards Chlamydotis macqueenii, 7 Arabian hares Lepus capensis, 7 greater hoopoe larks Alaemon alaudipes and 1 pharaoh eagle owl Bubo ascalaphus. As the population size of ungulates in the fenced DDCR is pretty much known, the expedition concentrated its research work on elucidating animal distribution. Arabian oryx were distributed more in the west, central and south of DDCR, mainly around feed points, where forage is easily found. Arabian gazelles were concentrated in the central and central-south parts of the DDCR, mainly around irrigated areas, which provide more forage for the species. Of this species only 24 individuals were counted on the feed spots. Sand gazelles were mainly observed in sand dunes, as well as around the irrigated areas, where there is more forage to be found. Feed points seemed to be of little interest to the species in 2020, with only one individual recorded. The expedition’s Arabian red fox survey found 68 dens, of which 45 had previously been classified as active or inactive during the 2019 expedition, with an additional 23 newly identified dens. The 2020 surveys showed a decrease in the number of surveyed or identified active and inactive dens compared to 2019, but this may be due to the difficulty of this task for citizen scientists (at least 20 additional active dens were discovered after the 2020 expedition between February and March 2020). Red foxes were also recorded on four camera traps during the 2020 expedition. Due to the favourable vegetation conditions after the rains, the red fox prey base is likely to have improved in the reserve. All these are positive indicators for the status of the fox population inside the DDCR, even though the den surveys might suggest otherwise. Live traps were set for 36 trap nights and only one feral cat was captured in the north, near Nazwa Mountain. No native meso-carnivore species were captured. Compared to previous years, we increased the number of traps from three to nine live traps. High rainfall and therefore higher prey base availability, which means that predators were less likely to be attracted to the baited traps, likely contributed to this low capture success rate. Small mammal trapping comprised 239 trapping nights over six grids and resulted in a total of 31 capture-recaptures: 28 Cheeseman’s gerbils Gerbillus cheesmani (20 males, 8 females) and 3 Baluchistan gerbils Gerbillus nanus (2 males, 1 female). Total trapping success rate was 13%. Small mammals were captured in all six grids. Of the 16 camera traps set by the expedition, 10 were set close to artificial water sources, and 6 were set on natural sites. Two camera traps malfunctioned, one on each site type. A total of 80 camera trapping days captured 6,609 images, 6,119 with recognisable subjects, of which 5,546 were of native fauna, as well as 499 of humans or vehicles. Arabian oryx was the most abundant and widespread species with 13,244 recorded capture events (total number of oryx appearing in all the photos) from 11 camera traps. Among the target mammal species within the DDCR, the rare Arabian wildcat was recorded and confirmed for a second year in a row from the same location by camera trap. Arabian red fox was also recorded by four camera traps. Rare species records include Arabian hare and MacQueen’s bustard. Sand fox, lappet-faced vulture and pharaoh eagle-owl were not recorded by camera trap in 2020. Over the years the relatively high numbers of ungulates within the DDCR, especially the Arabian oryx, continue to be a challenge in terms of the need to balance animal welfare with the health of the desert ecosystem. Supplying supplementary feed for the Arabian oryx herd addresses both of these aspects by making additional food available to individuals while limiting the impact of overgrazing on the ecosystem. However, supplementary feeding also contributes to the continued growth of the gazelle populations, which are not sustainable because resources, natural and supplied, are limited. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of ungulates in the reserve, management has succeeded in gaining approval, and have started construction, of ungulate holding enclosures outside the reserve perimeter. Surplus animals will then be made available for translocation to other reserves within the natural home range of the species. A reduction in the ungulate population within the DDCR will hopefully lead to better vegetation and a distribution more dependent on habitat type and quality, rather than supplementary feed and enhanced (irrigated) habitats. Predator re-introduction has not been approved at this time by the authorities, but is still under consideration. الملخص يستمر التعاون الناجح بين محمية دبي الصحراوية وبرنامج بعثات المحيط الحيوي والتي بدأت منذ العام 2012م بمشاركة المتطوعين الذين يجمعون البيانات للرحلة التاسعة على التوالي من 18 إلى 25 يناير 2020م. خلال مسوحات البعثة الاستكشافية لعام 2020م في جميع أقسام المحمية وبإستخدام طرق حصر مختلفة من خلال 256 ملاحظة عشوائية ، و 16 تعدادًا حول نقاط توزيع العلف و 62 تسجيل لإنواع من خلال التمثيل الدائري سجلت الأنواع التالية: 792 مها عربي ، 280 غزال عربي ، 95 غزال رملي ، 18 صرد جنوبي، 12 نسر اذن، 9 حبارى شرقية ، و 7 أرانب عربية ، وسبعة طيور المكاء ، وبومة صحراوية. نظرًا للزيادة المضطردة المعروفة في أعداد قطعان المها والغزال في محمية دبي الصحراوية المسورة، فقد ركزت البعثة أعمالها البحثية على توضيح توزيعات تلك الأنواع. تم ملاحظة زيادة أعداد توزيع المها العربي بشكل أكبر في الغرب والوسط والجنوب من محمية دبي الصحراوية وبشكل رئيسي حول نقاط إمداد العلف حيث يسهل العثور على الغذاء. تركزت أعداد الغزال العربي في الأجزاء الوسطى والجنوب الوسطي من المحمية وبشكل رئيسي حول المناطق المروية من المزارع القديمة والتي بها وفرة في الغطاء النباتي و تم إحصاء 24 فردًا فقط في أماكن توزيع العلف. تم تسجيل ومشاهدة غزلان الريم بشكل رئيسي في الكثبان الرملية وكذلك حول المناطق المروية من المزارع القديمة حيث يوجد وفرة في الغطاء النباتي ولم تكن نقاط التغذية ذات أهمية كبيرة لغزال الريم في عام 2020م حيث تم تسجيل فقط فرد واحد من غزال الريم حول نقاط إمداد العلف. أظهرت استطلاعات تسجيل أوكار الثعلب الأحمر العربي للبعثة انخفاضًا في عدد الأوكار النشطة وغير النشطة التي تم مسحها أو تحديدها مقارنة بعام 2019م، وقد يكون هذا الإنخفاض بسبب صعوبة هذه المهمة للمتطوعين حيث أنه قد تم اكتشاف عدد عشرين من الأوكار النشطة الإضافية على الأقل بعد الإنتهاء من البعثة بين شهري فبراير ومارس 2020م. تم تسجيل الثعالب الحمراء أيضًا من خلال أربعة مصائد للكاميرات خلال رحلة 2020م. نظرًا لظروف الغطاء النباتي المواتية بعد هطول الأمطار، فمن المحتمل أن تكون أعداد الثعلب الأحمر قد تحسنت في المحمية. كل هذه مؤشرات إيجابية لحالة تعداد الثعالب داخل محمية دبي الصحراوية على الرغم من الاستطلاعات قد تشير إلى خلاف ذلك. تم وضع العديد من المصائد الحية لمدة 36 ليلة وكان نتيجة لذلك تسجيل عدد قط وحشي واحد في الشمال بالقرب من جبل نزوى. لم يتم تسجيل أي مفترسات متوسطة الحجم أخري مقارنة بالسنوات السابقة بالرغم من زيادة عدد المصائد من ثلاثة إلى تسعة مصائد حية. من المحتمل أن يكون هطول الأمطار الغزيرة وبالتالي توفر غذاء أكبر من الفرائس مما أدي أن الحيوانات المفترسة كانت أقل إنجذابا إلى المصائد المزودة بطعم مما ساهم في إنخفاض أعداد المفترسات. أشتمل برنامج مصائد الثدييات الصغيرة على ما مجموعه 239 ليلة في ست مواقع مختلفة وأسفرت عن ما مجموعه 31 عملية أسر: 28 جربوع تشيزماني (20 ذكورًا و 8 إناث) و 3 جربوع بلوشستان (أثنين ذكور وإنثي واحدة) كان إجمالي معدل نجاح الاصطياد 13٪ حيث تم تسجيل الثدييات الصغيرة في جميع مواقع الدراسة. من بين إجمالي ستة عشر مصائد الكاميرا وضعتها البعثة خلال 2020م تم تركيب عشرة مصائد كاميرات بالقرب من مصادر المياه الاصطناعية وستة تم وضعها في مواقع طبيعية. تعطلت عدد أثنين من مصائد الكاميرا خلال فترة الدراسة واحدة في كل موقع (مصادر المياه والمناطق الطبيعية). تم التقاط ما مجموعه 80 يومًا من أيام مصائد الكاميرات وتسجيل ما مجموعه 6609 صورة، منها 6119 صورة مع أهداف يمكن التعرف عليها ومنها 5546 من الحيوانات البرية بالإضافة إلى عدد 499 صورة لبشر أو لمركبات. كان المها العربي أكثر الأنواع وفرة وانتشارًا حيث تم تسجيل 13244 إجمالي عدد المها العربي الظاهر في جميع الصور من 13 مصيدة كاميرا. من بين أنواع الثدييات المستهدفة في DDCR تم تسجيل القط البري العربي النادر وتأكيده للعام الثاني على التوالي من نفس الموقع بواسطة مصيدة كاميرا. كما سجلت أربعة مصائد للكاميرا للثعلب الأحمر العربي. وكذلك تسجيل الأنواع النادرة الأخرى مثل الأرنب العربي وطائر الحبارى. لم يتم تسجيل الثعلب الرملي ونسر الأذون والبومة الصحراوية الفرعونية بواسطة مصيدة الكاميرا في عام 2020م. على مر السنين ، لا تزال الأعداد المرتفعة نسبيًا من ذوات الحوافر داخل محمية دبي الصحراوية وخاصة المها العربي تمثل تحديًا من حيث الحاجة إلى تحقيق التوازن بين أعداد الحيوان وصحة النظام البيئي الصحراوي. إن توفير العلف التكميلي لقطيع المها العربي يعالج كلا الجانبين من خلال توفير الطعام البديل مع الحد من تأثير الرعي الجائر على النظام البيئي. ومع ذلك، تساهم التغذية التكميلية أيضًا في النمو المستمر لأعداد الغزال والتي لا يمكن استدامتها لأن الموارد الطبيعية شحيحة. لذلك، ومن أجل تقليل عدد ذوات الحوافر في المحمية ، نجحت الإدارة في الحصول على الموافقة وبدأت في إنشاء مسيجات للاحتفاظ بالحيوانات خارج أسوار المحمية. سيتم بعد ذلك إتاحة الفرصة لنقل الحيوانات الزائدة إلى محميات أخرى ضمن النطاق المحلي الطبيعي للأنواع. من المأمول أن يؤدي انخفاض أعداد المها العربي داخل المحمية إلى تحسين جودة الغطاء النباتي والتوزيع المتجانس للحيوانات الرعوية والذي يعتمد بشكل أكبر على نوع الموائل وجودتها ، بدلاً من الأعلاف التكميلية والموائل المحسنة (المروية). لم تتم الموافقة على إعادة إدخال أي نوع من المفترسات في هذا الوقت من قبل السلطات ولكنها لا تزال قيد النظر.