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The anthropogenic risk avoidance hypothesis applies to the
Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica):
an ecological overview from a Natura 2000 site in Greece
Kati V., Kassara Ch., Vassilakis D. & Papaioannou H.
https://bc.lab.uoi.gr/en/research/projects/roadless/
III International Rupicapra symposium
Biodiversity
Conservation
Lab
Department
of Biological
Applications
and Technology
University of
Ioannina
Greece
Pindos
Perivallontiki
Ιoannina,
Greece
18 June 2021. Online
Funded by the
Green Fund
of Greece
@ H. Papaioannou
Kati, V*., Kassara, Ch., Vassilakis, D., Papaioannou, H. 2020. Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) avoids roads, settlements, and
hunting grounds: An ecological overview from Timfi mountain, Greece. Diversity, 12 (4), pp 124. https://doi.org/10.3390/d12040124
IntroductionIntroduction
R. rupicapra balcanica is poorly studied
Hunting is prohibited since 1969. Poaching: main threat
Protected species (Annex II/IV –Dir. 92/43/EC)
Conservation status: Bad (U2)
Low national population <2000 individuals.
Fragmented distribution pattern [30 populations]
Distribution in Greece
Chamois in Timfi Mt
@ H. Papaioannou
1. What is its annual & seasonal range-use pattern?
2. What is its demographic structure and trend?
3. Which factors drive its habitat selection process?
4. Does the species avoid human presence?
5. National distribution pattern vs hunting banned areas?
6. Conservation implications
Research questions
Timfi Mountain (NW Greece)
Elevation: 412-2497
Climate: Mediterranean vs Continental
Area:25986 ha
Natura 2000 site: GR2130009 & GR2130001
Study area
National Action Plan for Balkan chamois
MethodsMethods
Chamois surveys
47 transects (205 km mountain paths)
Repetition (4): every season 2001-2002
•W-cold period: 10/12-9/3.
•S-parturition: 10/3-9/6,
•Su-warm period: 10/6-9/9,
•A-rutting period: 10/9-9/12)
Observations: sightings, tracks/droppings
Population size: October 2002,2014, 2017
- Pointage flash method (7 groups X 2 ind.)
Environmental variables (16)
Scale: Grid 100m x 100m
Topography (7): elevation, slope, curvature, aspect (asp.N, asp.E, aspS, aspW)
Habitat cover (6): % agriculture, broad-leaved forests, grasslands, pine forests, rocks, scrubs
Human disturbance (3): Ds-distance from settlements, Dr-distance from road, Hunt: (allowed/ not)
Habitat cover: mountainous grasslands (46%), rock/screes (9%),
pinewoods (15%), broadleaved woods (14%), scrubs (15%), agriculture (<1%)
Road length: 174 km. Hunting activity: excluded in 48% of the study area.
Observations: 1168:direct records (animals) and indirect (tracks & droppings) records.
2001-2002: 36% -animals (578), 47% droppings (435), 17% tracks (155).
2014: 154 animal observations. 2017: 92 animal observations
@ H. Papaioannou
ResultsResults
1. What is chamois seasonal range-use pattern in Timfi?
Data: Annual survey 2001-2002 (922 observations)
Range calculation: Fixed Kernel Density Estimator: >95% probability of occurrence of animals
Seasonal ranges: Two patterns: Winter-Spring/ Summer-Autumn.
“Typical range-use pattern”: Minimum range in winter (3213 ha) and a maximum in summer (4022ha).
Great seasonal overlap > 49%.
Spring
Winter Summer Autumn
Observations. Range (FKDE: 95%). Core area (Probability of occurrence: W-80%, S-85%, Su-710%, A-75%)
Core area calculation: Area of animal range (%) vs probability of area use (%)
Seasonal core areas: Minimum seasonal core area in autumn during the rutting season
1. What is chamois annual range in Timfi?
Merging the seasonal ranges to define the
annual range
Annual range: 6491 ha
accounting for 25% of the study area
The annual core area was about half of the
annual range
First visualization that the species was
aggregating in areas away for roads and
settlements and in wildlife refuges where
hunting is prohibited
@ H. Papaioannou
2. What is its demographic structure and trend?
Demographic Parameters 2002 2014 2017 Mean (±StDev)
Population size (individuals)
132
(2 ind/100ha)325 469 -
Kids (%) 23 29 26 26 % (±3.00)
Yearlings (%) 9 11 12 11% (±1.50)
Females (%) 38 37 36 37% (±0.98)
Males (%) 30 23 26 26% (±3.51)
Fecundity rate
(kids/females) 0.60 0.80 0.72 0.71 (±0.10)
Sex ratio (males/females) 0.80 0.63 0.72 0.72 (±0.09)
✓Population has increased by 3,5 times. Annual increasing population trend 9,5%
✓A healthy demographic structure
•Kids: one fourth of the overall population
•Sex ratio in favour of females
•High fecundity rate
Available space Space used
Example:
Winter 2002
p-Selects pinewoods
3. Which factors drive its habitat selection process ?
ENFA - Ecological-niche factor analysis [R-package adehabitat HS]
•High marginality: (p<0.001): The average conditions in the habitat used are very different from those available
in the study area. Strong habitat selection.
•High specialization: (p<0.001): The species has a narrow niche-breadth. The environmental conditions in the
study area varied much more ( X 50-126 times) than within the chamois ranges.
aspS-Avoids
southern-
facing
slopes
asp S
h
h-Avoids
hunting
areas
Dr-Prefers
areas
away from
roads
Dr
Ds-Prefers
areas
away from
settlements
Ds
a & s-Does
not tolerate
agriculture
and scrub
increase
a
s
These patterns common and
consistent across seasons
4. Does the species avoid human presence?
Yes! Balkan chamois shows a very clear avoidance pattern human presence due to poaching/hunting
5. What is chamois national distribution pattern vs hunting banned areas?
Legal Rule of permanent hunting prohibition
Greek Land (%)
Chamois Distribution (%)
250
m from cities and villages
150
m from houses
250
m from camping sites when operating
Archaeological
sites and monuments
6.425 0.030
500 m from eastern borderline
0.075 0.000
Subtotal 1: public safety
6.50 0.03
Wildlife refuges
8.052 29.490
Core zones of the 10 national parks
0.268 5.079
Strict nature reserves
0.089 1.057
Nature reserve zones
1.485 9.285
Subtotal 2: wildlife areas
9.16 37.19
Game breeding station
0.023 0.000
Controlled hunting area
0.845 2.859
Subtotal 3: game management areas
0.87 2.86
Private fenced land
n/a n/a
Vineyards, cultivated land etc. in case that hunting harms crops
n/a n/a
Spatial data are largely lacking. Several rules & temporary decisions
Hunting is allowed even in private lands when no fenced
No hunting management plans
No official national map of
hunting ban areas
@Yves Adams
First rough estimation (2019). Hunting ban area: 16,54% of Greece (permanent & temporary)
Hunting ban for wildlife conservation: 9,16% of Greek land
Hunting ban area covers 40% of Balkan chamois distribution
6. Conservation implications
1. Expand wildlife refuges in chamois distribution area at national scale
oCurrent wildlife refuges (8%) are well-designed, covering 29.5% of chamois distribution
oRevisiting national policy for hunting management and expanding the hunting ban areas
oStrengthen the poaching control system through a national ranger body
2. A roadless policy
National action plan for Balkan chamois
obanning road expansion in crucial chamois habitats
ocontrolled access to existing mountainous roads through road removal or road control
oRoadless areas delineation and legal protection: in line with the European biodiversity strategy
•10% of land strictly protected.
•Connectivity of Natura 2000 sites
•Proactive restoration targets.
Kati, V. et al. 2020. Conservation policy under a roadless perspective: minimizing fragmentation in Greece.
Biological Conservation, 252, 108828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108828
Kati, V. 2021. The biodiversity-wind energy-land use nexus in a global biodiversity hotspot. Science οf the Total Environment,
768, 144471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144471
https://bc.lab.uoi.gr/en/research/projects/roadless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCZjavbA2wY
