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Current status of the Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) in Greece : Implications for conservation
Abstract and Figures
In this study, we carried out direct and indirect surveys in 30 Greek areas to clarify the current status of the Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica). It is an important flagship species for conservation in Greece, protected by both National and European legislation. New chamois populations are recorded for the first time in 3 areas, direct sightings of chamois are found in 11 areas, and presence is reported by locals in a further 4 areas. The overall potential distribution area of the species is 1.663km 2 . The chamois is considered extinct in 6 areas and its presence is doubtful in the remaining 6 areas. Chamois have a frag-mented dispersal pattern in Greece and three blocks of populations are distinguished : Pindus, Sterea Ellada and Rhodopi popula-tions. Population sizes do not usually exceed 30 individuals in each area, and the maximum population size recorded is 120-130 individuals (Mt. Timfi). Our preliminary estimate of the total Greek population size is between 477 and 750, which is slightly higher than previous estimates. Although most sites are within established reserves, protected by the Natura 2000 network, there is an urgent need for further conservation measures. Poaching is considered to be the major threat to this species, therefore effective protection is urgently needed, through the enhancement of guarding system against poaching, the control of roads usage within its core range, and the creation of protected natural corridors between chamois populations.
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... Chamois (Rupicapra spp.) are medium-sized ungulates that inhabit alpine pastures and rocky areas on the main mountain massifs of both Europe and the Near East (Corlatti et al. 2011) and, exceptionally, the low elevations of river gorges (Papaioannou and Kati 2007), forested and coastal areas Kavčić et al. 2020). The current distribution of Rupicapra spp. ...
... Reduced genetic diversity in small and isolated populations might, in turn, cause negative impacts on fitness, resulting in decreased effective population size and, eventually, increase the probabilities of extinction (Pelletier et al. 2019). Other threats to the Balkan chamois survival are considered to be poaching (Papaioannou and Kati 2007), introductions of other chamois subspecies, mostly Alpine chamois (Iacolina et al. 2019), forest succession (Kavčić et al. 2019), road infrastructure (Kati et al. 2020), intensive livestock grazing, predation, unsustainable hunting and natural events (Šprem and Buzan 2016). Due to these threats, the Balkan chamois is protected by Annexes II and IV of the European Union Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992) and Appendix III of the Bern Convention (OJ L 38, 10.2.1982). ...
The translocation of wild animal species became a common practice worldwide to re-establish local populations threatened with extinction. Archaeological data confirm that chamois once lived in the Biokovo Mountain but, prior to their reintroduction in the 1960s, there was no written evidence of their recent existence in the area. The population was reintroduced in the period 1964–1969 when 48 individuals of Balkan chamois from the neighbouring mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina were released. The main objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of the existing historical data on the origin of the Balkan chamois population from the Biokovo Mountain and to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of the source and translocated populations 56 years after the first reintroduction. We used 16 microsatellite loci to analyse the genetic structure of three source chamois populations from Prenj, Čvrsnica and Čabulja Mountains and from Mt. Biokovo. Both STRUCTURE and GENELAND analyses showed a clear separation of the reintroduced population on Biokovo from Prenj’s chamois and considerable genetic similarity between the Biokovo population and the Čvrsnica–Čabulja population. This suggests that the current genetic composition of the Biokovo populations does not derive exclusively from Prenj, as suggested by the available literature and personal interviews, but also from Čvrsnica and Čabulja. GENELAND analysis recognized the Balkan chamois from Prenj as a separate cluster, distinct from the populations of Čvrsnica and Čabulja. This suggests that the Neretva River and the state M17 road are geographic barriers for the species dispersal, as they form a genetic boundary.
... Chamois (Rupicapra spp.) are medium-sized ungulates that inhabit alpine pastures and rocky areas on the main mountain massifs of both Europe and the Near East (Corlatti et al. 2011) and, exceptionally, the low elevations of river gorges (Papaioannou and Kati 2007), forested and coastal areas Kavčić et al. 2020). The current distribution of Rupicapra spp. ...
... Reduced genetic diversity in small and isolated populations might, in turn, cause negative impacts on fitness, resulting in decreased effective population size and, eventually, increase the probabilities of extinction (Pelletier et al. 2019). Other threats to the Balkan chamois survival are considered to be poaching (Papaioannou and Kati 2007), introductions of other chamois subspecies, mostly Alpine chamois (Iacolina et al. 2019), forest succession (Kavčić et al. 2019), road infrastructure (Kati et al. 2020), intensive livestock grazing, predation, unsustainable hunting and natural events (Šprem and Buzan 2016). Due to these threats, the Balkan chamois is protected by Annexes II and IV of the European Union Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992) and Appendix III of the Bern Convention (OJ L 38, 10.2.1982). ...
The Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) is widespread on the Balkan Peninsula, along mountain massifs from Croatia in the north to Greece in the south and Bulgaria in the east. Knowledge on the genetic structure of Balkan chamois populations is limited and restricted to local studies. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to use nuclear (16 microsatellites) and mitochondrial (partial 376 base pairs control region) markers to investigate the genetic structure of this chamois subspecies throughout its distribution range and to obtain information on the degree of connectivity of the different (sub)populations. We extracted DNA from bone, dried skin and muscle tissue and successfully genotyped 92 individuals of Balkan chamois and sequenced the partial control region in 44 individuals. The Bayesian analysis suggested 3 genetic clusters and assigned individuals from Serbia and Bulgaria to two separate clusters, while individuals from the other countries belonged to the same cluster. Thirty new haplotypes were obtained from partial mitochondrial DNA sequences, with private haplotypes in all analyzed populations and only two haplotypes shared among populations, indicating the possibility of past translocations. The subspecies genetic composition presented here provides the necessary starting point to assess the conservation status of the Balkan chamois and allows the development of conservation strategies necessary for its sustainable management and conservation.
... O πληθυσμός του αγριόγιδου στην Ελλάδα σύμφωνα με παλαιότερες έρευνες ανέρχεται σε 300-500 άτομα (Adamakopoulos et al. 1997, Hatzivarssanis 1991 ενώ πιο πρόσφατες αναφέρουν 477-750 άτομα (Papaioannou and Kati, 2007). ...
... Στις περιοχές όπου δεν επιβεβαιώθηκε η παρουσία του είδους από την επιτόπια παρατήρηση, ο εκτιμώμενος πληθυσμός αναφέρεται σε αναφορές ατόμων που δραστηριοποιούνται στην περιοχή (κτηνοτρόφων, κυνηγών, ορειβατών) (Hatzirvassanis 1991, Sfougarisetal. 1999, Papaioannou 1991, 2007. ...
... The lack of continuity of these habitats and overhunting in the post-Neolithic period have severely fragmented the subspecies' present distribution (Corlatti et al. 2022). In addition to low colonisation rates and reduced gene flow between isolated populations, which may lead to genetic differentiation due to the inbreeding effect and loss of allelic variants, the Balkan chamois is threatened by poaching (Papaioannou and Kati 2007), habitat change (Kavčić et al. 2019), unsustainable hunting (Šprem and Buzan 2016) and by the introduction of Alpine chamois subspecies (Iacolina et al. 2019). As a conservation measure, the Balkan chamois is listed in Annexes II and IV of the European Union Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992) and in Appendix III of the Bern Convention (OJ L 38, 10.2.1982). ...
The translocation of wild animal species became a common practice worldwide to re-establish local populations threatened with extinction. Archaeological data confirm that chamois once lived in the Biokovo Mountain but, prior to their reintroduction in the 1960s, there was no written evidence of their recent existence in the area. The population was reintroduced in the period 1964–1969, when 48 individuals of Balkan chamois from the neighbouring mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina were released. The main objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of the existing historical data on the origin of the Balkan chamois population from the Biokovo Mountain and to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of the source and translocated populations 56 years after reintroduction. Sixteen microsatellite loci were used to analyse the genetic structure of three source chamois populations from Prenj, Čvrsnica and Čabulja Mountains and from Biokovo Mountain. Both STRUCTURE and GENELAND analyses showed a clear separation of the reintroduced population on Biokovo from Prenj’s chamois and considerable genetic similarity between the Biokovo population and the Čvrsnica-Čabulja population. This suggests that the current genetic composition of the Biokovo population does not derive exclusively from Prenj, as suggested by the available literature and personal interviews, but also from Čvrsnica and Čabulja. GENELAND analysis recognised the Balkan chamois from Prenj as a separate cluster, distinct from the populations of Čvrsnica and Čabulja. Our results thus highlight the need to implement genetic monitoring of both reintroduced and source populations of endangered Balkan chamois to inform sustainable management and conservation strategies in order to maximise the chances of population persistence.
... The helminth species (parasitic worms) in the Balkan chamois are almost equal to the species found in the domestic goats and other small ruminants inhabiting the European continent. Presence of several parasitic worms specific to this subspecies can be found (4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,21). According to animal species systematics this helminth species belonging to the three main classes in veterinary importance and are distributed among the following families and genera: ...
... Its hunting has been officially forbidden since 1969. The major threat to chamois survival in Greece is considered to be poaching, enhanced by the dense mountain road network constructed either for livestock breeding activities or logging (Papaioannou and Kati 2007). ...
Information on the status and distribution of species within a geographical region is vital for designing effective conservation plans. We assessed the distribution and relative abundance of four large mammalian species in the Aoos river basin and its main tributaries with a focus on the unprotected parts of the area, by using remotely triggered camera traps from July to October 2019. A total of 878 camera trap days at 16 camera trap 5x5 km 2 grid cells were deployed. We recorded 334 independent photographs of the focal species. Based on the photographic rate of the large carnivore species, the brown bear and the grey wolf both exhibited high relative abundance indices (RAIbear=6.49 and RAIwolf=5.69). Among the large herbivores, wild boar showed higher relative abundance (RAIboar=16.29) than roe deer (RAIroe=9.23). The presence of Balkan chamois was recorded as well. Furthermore, reproduction success was confirmed in three grids for the bear, in three grids for the wolf, in seven grids for the roe deer and in eleven grids for the wild boar. Our study showed that the areas surrounding the Aoos river and its main tributaries are of great importance for large carnivores, and that the nonprotected parts of the study area are of similar importance with the protected ones. We suggest the establishment of a Greek-Albanian transnational park in the non-protected part of Aoos basin, in order to protect large carnivores from harmful development projects in the basin. K Aoos river, brown bear, conservation, camera trapping, large mammals, relative abundance index, roe deer, wild boar, wolf
... Its hunting has been officially forbidden since 1969. The major threat to chamois survival in Greece is considered to be poaching, enhanced by the dense mountain road network constructed either for livestock breeding activities or logging (Papaioannou and Kati 2007). ...
The Vjosa/Aoos river still flows freely from the Pindus mountains in Greece, to the river mouth in Albania largely without artificial obstacles. The river stretches for 270km in total and 70km are flowing within the Greek area. Downstream of the Pigai dam in Greece (10km from the springs of Aoos), the river is near natural, representing all types of river ecosystems, including canyon sections, braided parts and meandering stretches.
In Greece the protected area, that partly includes river Aoos, belongs to the Northern Pindos National Park. The existing National Park is already protecting 50kms of Aoos’ river stretch, leaving nearly 20km of the river unprotected, towards the GR-AL borders (see Map 1). At the same time one of the major tributaries, Voidomatis (15km long) is included in the existing National Park, leaving 6km of the tributary unprotected, towards the GR-AL borders. Another major tributary, river Sarantaporos (50km long), stretches under no protection zone, from its springs until its confluence with Aoos, right upon the GR-AL
borders. Voidomatis and Sarandaporos rivers are the main tributaries of Aoos. Voidomatis meets up with Aoos in the plain of Konitsa, and Sarandaporos joins them right on the Greek-Albanian border. Through this year’s biodiversity research, we aim to increase the biodiversity knowledge for the unprotected area of the Aoos river basin, in order to further support the efforts of the campaign for the expansion of the Aoos’ protected area towards the GR-AL borders, in a way that will include the
unprotected stretches of Aoos and its major tributaries (Voidomatis, Sarantaporos).
The present study is focusing on insect species related to water (Odonata), as well as on large mammals, either directly related to the riverine ecosystems (otter) or indirectly (carnivores and ungulates).
The present biodiversity research sets four distinct objectives:
• To provide a georeferenced database of species distribution in the study area, with special focus on the part of the area that is under no protection status.
• To assess different microhabitats of Aoos’ catchment in terms of their ecological value for the target species.
• To assess potential pressures and threats for the species.
• To crystalize research findings into concrete conservation objectives.
... Such interconnection of roads to hunting and poaching is widely recognized, because increased public access provided by roads increases the intensity of hunting and poaching of ungulates in several parts of the world [66,70,71]. Poaching is considered a common phenomenon in the country, enhanced by the poor law enforcement and poaching control by the Greek State [8,72]. For instance, the rangers of the Epirus hunting association denounced to the Court of Justice a poaching incidence (six chamois shot in the study area in February 2017), where barcoding techniques were also used to confirm the crime [73]. ...
Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) is a protected species with an Inadequate-Bad (U2) conservation status in Greece. Our study explores its seasonal range use pattern, demography and habitat selection in a site of the Natura 2000 network, Timfi Mountain. To this aim, we examined 1168 observations obtained from six seasonal surveys (2002: four seasons, 2014 and 2017: autumn) and performed an ecological-niche factor analysis (ENFA), using 16 environmental and human-disturbance variables. The species had an annual range of 6491 ha (25% of the study area), followed the typical range-use pattern, and presented the minimum core area during the rutting season (autumn). Timfi Mt hosted 469 individuals in 2017 (the largest population in Greece), increasing by 3.55 times since 2002. The species selected higher altitudes during summer and autumn, pinewoods over broad-leaved woods as winter grounds, and it avoided south-facing slopes. Our results supported the anthropogenic risk avoidance hypothesis; the species always selected remote areas away from roads, human settlements, and hunting grounds. In Greece, 40% of its distribution area falls within hunting ban areas (16.5% of the country). A national conservation policy is needed towards maintaining and increasing roadless areas and hunting-ban areas within Balkan chamois range nationwide.
... The data show that the chamois in Greece maintain an important deal of variability within the species R. rupicapra and consequently merits special conservation. The variation is structured among the different mountain ranges, coherent with the subdivision of the populations that has been reported (Papaioannou and Kati 2007;Papaioannou 2015Papaioannou , 2016. It is well known that the fragmentation of the populations leads to local inbreeding, loss of diversity and Table 1 Estimates of diversity (a) and differentiation among population groups (b) for microsatellites and the mitochondrial CR n-µsats-sample size microsatellites, Ar allele richness, Ho observed heterozygosity, He expected heterozygosity, n-CR number of sequences obtained, π = nucleotide diversity using Jukes-Cantor model of substitution. ...
Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) is the southernmost subspecies within the distribution of the genus in Europe. In Greece, which is its marginal area of distribution, the population presents a fragmented pattern. This is the first study that investigates genetic variability and structure of Greek chamois. We collected samples from the wider Pindus mountain range, Mount Olympus, the Rhodope mountains and from the North-Northwestern mountains. Individuals were screened for mitochondrial (mt) sequences, cytochrome b (cytb) and control region (CR), and 18 microsatellite loci. Only one haplotype of cytb was observed. Sequences of the CR showed extensive variability grouping into three differentiated clades, one of them including specimens of the subspecies asiatica and caucasica. The GenBank haplotypes of balcanica from the Dinarides form a different clade. There is differentiation among geographical areas both for the CR as well as for microsatellites. In particular, the Olympus population is clearly distinct from the rest and shows low diversity. This differentiation can be related to recent isolation and small population size more than to a singular long evolutionary history, given that the haplotypes present there are shared by the Pindus populations. The chamois in Greece harbor an outstanding amount of variability within the species R. rupicapra and hence merit the implementation of special conservation measures. We propose actions to prevent further fragmentation in the wider area of Pindus and the North-Northwestern mountains. For the isolated populations of Olympus and the Rhodopes, conservation must focus on actions to maintain a viable population size.
... The current abundance of game is the result of the impact of several negative influences, including poaching. Although scholars and researchers, both from Serbia and the neighboring countries are aware of the negative effects of this phenomenon (Ranković & Popović, 2002, Popović et al., 2003Popović et al., 2004;Vapa et al., 2006;Valchev et al. 2006;Papaioannou & Kati, 2007), this problem is not given adequate attention in the scientific community of Serbia. Poaching is not specific only to the area of the Balkan Peninsula and its hunting sector, but also occurs in other countries or industries (Byers & Noonburg, 2007;Zabel & Holm-Müller, 2008 This research deals with defining the factors affecting the presence of illegal activities in the hunting sector of Serbia, as an incentive to intensify work on the solving of this problem. ...
Flächen in Serbien, auf denen jagdliche Eingriffe zugelassen sind, erstrecken sich, urbanisierte Gegenden ausgenommen, über fast die gesamte Landfläche. Jagdliche Interessenvertretungen gehören zu den größten Nichtregierungsorganisationen des Landes. Diese beiden Komponenten bilden den Jagdsektor, der das Management von bejagbaren Tieren beaufsichtigt, aber auch eine wichtige Rolle einnimmt bei dem Management von Wildtieren und dem Schutz bedrohter Arten. Die Aktivitäten des Jagdsektors überlappen mit anderen Industriesektoren, wie Landwirtschaft und Forstwirtschaft, oder der Erholungsnutzung der Natur. Dies resultiert in verschiedenen Konflikten, die auch in Verbindung stehen mit Druck von Gruppen, die sich gegen Jagd positionieren. Zur gleichen Zeit erfährt der Jagdsektor einen Rückgang der Zahlen aktiver Jäger und negative Konsequenzen nach dem Zerfall Jugoslawiens. Trotz seiner Bedeutung und zahlreicher Herausforderungen, fand der Jagdsektor in Serbien seit längerer Zeit keine wissenschaftliche Aufmerksamkeit. Das Ziel dieser Forschung ist es den gegenwärtigen Status des Jagdsektors in Serbien zu identifizieren. Zu diesem Zweck wurden drei Parameter analysiert: Flächen, auf denen jagdliche Eingriffe zugelassen sind, Wildtier Management und Jäger. Jeder dieser Parameter wurde auf nationaler Ebene beschrieben und mit der regionalen Ebene verglichen um herauszufinden wie homogen der Sektor ist. Die Parameter wurden analysiert um unabhängige Variablen herauszuarbeiten, die als Indikatoren für zukünftige Forschung verwendet werden können und eine Analyse zur Homogenität des Sektors erlauben. Des Weiteren wurden zwei theoretische Konzepte getestet: das Wildlife Value Orientation model und die Theorie geplanten Verhaltens, um ihre Anwendbarkeit auf diesen Fall zu testen. Schließlich versucht diese Studie Wissen darüber zu generieren, wie hilfreich eine Einbeziehung sozialer Faktoren in Analysen des serbischen Jagdsektors ist. Daten wurden gesammelt durch bewährte und innovative Methoden. Traditionelle Methoden wurden verwendet um Daten zu erhalten über Jagdflächen und dem Management von Arten. Hierzu wurden unter anderem Managementpläne von 272 Jagdbezirken ausgewertet. Die innovativen Methoden bauten auf eine Umfrage unter 390 Jägern, die zufällig aus der Gesamtstichprobe ausgewählt wurden. Die Resultate der Analyse zeigen, dass die Qualität der Jagdreviere und die Zahl der bejagbaren Arten im Vergleich zur letzten nationalen Erhebung teilweise zugenommen haben, aber immer noch weit von einem zufriedenstellenden Zustand entfernt ist. Die Umfrage unter den Jägern zeigt, dass Jäger von Entscheidungsträgern kaum beachtet werden und die Mehrheit keinen zufriedenstellenden finanziellen Status aufweisen. Der Jagdsektor ist sehr homogeny, weil auf regionaler Ebene nur die Region der Vojvodina auf Grund einiger Charakteristika hervorragt. Daher ist ein Clustering der daten nur begrenzt vornehmbar. Jedoch zeigen die Daten auch einige Widersprüche, die andeuten, dass die Verlässlichkeit der traditionell generierten Daten fragwürdig ist und das Resultate zu Jagdrevieren und Management einzelner Arten mit Vorsicht aufzunehmen ist. Mit Blick auf die theoretischen Konzepte zeigt sich, dass das Wildlife Value Orientation model gewisse Modifikationen erfordert um auf den serbischen Jagdsektor angewendet werden zu können. Die Theorie geplanten Handelns stellte sich als vertrauenswürdiger Ansatz dar, der jedoch weniger konkrete Ergebnisse lieferte, als dies auf Grund der Ergebnisse anderer Studien zu erwarten gewesen wäre. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit verlangen nach zusätzlicher Forschung zur Anwendbarkeit der einzelnen theoretischen Konzepte. Schließlich erlaubt die Human dimensions Studie in zukünftiger Forschung verwendet zu werden, da in den spezifischen Umständen des gegebenen Falls Daten, die durch Umfragen unter Jägern generiert wurden, grundsätzlich vertrauenswürdiger sind als jene, die lediglich auf Managementplänen zu Jagdrevieren und dem Management von spezifischen Arten aufbauen.
Winter home ranges of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) were censused, cartographied, and described in four montainous massifs situated in Isere (France). Based on 1 700 points characterized by 7 environmental parameters, 73 areas were studied. A statistical analysis (logistic linear model) showed that snow-cover, vegetation, exposition, and relief were the most reliable variables characteristic of chamois winter habitat. Altitude and slope were less significant. The first four variables were thus retained to characterize chamois winter habitat according to the biogeographical unit of each massif: Northern Prealps, outer crystalline massifs, Southern Prealps. Importance of snow-cover varied according to the massif: Northern Prealps winter habitat was characterized by a long lasting snow-cover whereas in the massifs, snow-cover disappeared more rapidly. Most commonly the chamois selected forests, and also rather uniforme reliefs. Winter habitats tended to be North-facing in the Prealps, and South-facing in inner massifs.
Starting from the frequently heard claim that the populations of chamois and ibex in the Gran Paradiso National Park are excessive, several factors which influence the populations in the Park are considered, including that of epidemic disease. It is concluded that although some man-made factors favour overpopulation, others act in the opposite direction: on the whole their effect is marginal and there is no need for culling. The only reason which would justify such management would be if the vegetation were showing effects of overgrazing—evidence which is not available at the present time. The claim of overpopulation probably comes about both because a comparison is made with the nearly depopulated surrounding areas (where the numbers are kept artificially very low by hunting and poaching), and because of an emotional evaluation of natural phenomena.
Some 6-10-yr-old males migrated alone over large areas vertically and horizontally on mountain slopes during summer and fall. At least one utilized several, short term 'seasonal' ranges on a total area as large as 20 km2. Younger males (3-5 yr-old) used small (1 km2), common seasonal ranges both in winter and summer. They undertook relatively short, mainly vertical migrations between these ranges. Males >10 yr tended to remain solitary all through summer and fall using only small ranges of sizes around 1/2km2 below the tree line. They spent the winters in exclusively male-areas which were about equal in size to the summer ranges. -from Author
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Données sur la biometrie et l’état sanitaire du cha-mois dans le nord – est du massif ders Ecrins (Hautes – Alpes)
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