title

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the Ukrainian Polissia: state of population and conservation issues

author(s)

Sergiy Zhyla (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3471-6790)

affiliation

Chornobyl Radioecological Biosphere Reserve (Ivankiv, Ukraine)

bibliography

Theriologia Ukrainica. 2021. Vol. 21: 91–108.

DOI

language

Ukrainian, with English summary, titles of tables, captures to figs

abstract

The issue of survey, monitoring, and protection of the lynx in the Ukrainian Polissia based on the results of research carried out in 2013–2021 is considered. European census methods do not include the identification of traces of territorial individuals and of those that disperse. Lynx family groups living along the border or at the border of land users should be accounted for 50 % of the established number, so that there is no double counting. The use of photo traps to identify lynx individuals in the wild and then to establish the total lynx population is less effective and more costly than traditional trace-based techniques. Even in the absence of snow, repeated surveys on trails (five visits to the territory with intervals of at least a week), it is possible to establish the presence of almost all individuals of the lynx in the selected area. The reasons for the decline in the number of species in 2015–2017 from 80–100 to 40 individuals and the prospects for effective management of the Polissia population in the future are considered. The number of lynx in 2015–2017 in the Ukrainian Polissia decreased significantly and was at a minimum level for a short time. Since 2018, there has been a gradual increase in the number, especially rapid in the period 2019–2021. The decline in the number of the species in 2015–2017 indicates the need to create a national lynx action plan in Ukraine. The presence of a strong Baltic lynx population north of the Ukrainian Polissia, specifics of territorial distribution of forests, river network, forestless territories, including the Ovruch-Slovenian ridge, create clear eco-corridors in the Ukrainian Polissia for such forest-dwelling species as the lynx. As of 2021, fluctuations in predator-prey systems (wolf, lynx vs deer, wild boar, beaver) have apparently stopped and a new dynamic equilibrium has been established between these species. The lynx has recently proved that it is able to survive even in an anthropogenically altered landscape with a relatively high level of economic activity, which allows the well-being of the population of this species to be predicted in Ukraine.

keywords

lynx, population state, monitoring, protection, resettlement area, Polissia, Ukraine

references

Akimov, I. A. (ed.). 2009. Red Data Book of Ukraine. Animal Word. Global-Consulting, Kyiv, 1–600. [In Ukrainian]
Bielecki, M. 2020. Task 1: Methodology of Eurasian lynx monitoring in Poland. In: The pilot monitoring of wolf and lynx in Poland (implemented under the State Environmental Monitoring — field and chamber works 2017–2020). Krakow, https://bit.ly/3CqnXbj
Bouyer, Y., V. Gervasi, P. Poncio, R. C. Beudels-Jamar, J. Odden, J. D. C. Linnel. 2014. Tolerance to anthropogenic disturbance by a large carnivore: the case of Eurasian lynx in south-eastern Norway: Lynx tolerance to human disturbance in Norway. Animal conservation, 18 (3): 271–278. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12168
Breitenmoser, U., C. Breitenmoser, H. Okarma, T. Kaphegyi, [et al.]. 2000. Action Plan for the Conservation of the Eurasian Lynx in Europe (Lynx lynx). Council and Europe Publishing, 1–68. (Series: Nature and environment, No. 112).
Gashchak, S. P. 2018. Vertebrates of the Chernobyl zone (Cher¬nobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve), included in the Red Book of Ukraine (2009). Problems of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, 18: 5–55. [In Russian]
Jedrztjewska, B., W. Jedrztjewski. 2001. Ekologia zwierzat drapieznych Puszczy Bialowieskiej. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN. Warszawa, 1–460.
Kawata, Y. 2008. Carrying Capacities of Large Carnivores in Latvia. Acta Zoologica Lituanica, 18 (1): 3–9. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10043-008-0001-4
Kozlo, P. H. 1993. Lynx in Belarus: biology, modern state and prospects of protection. In: Protected Animals in Belarus. Issue 3. Minsk, 43–49. [In Russian]
Kozlo, P. H. 2003. Belarus. In: Lynx. Regional Peculiarities of Ecology, Use and Protection. Nauka, Moskva, 118–137. [In Russian]
Kozorez, A. Y. 2017. Counting the number of winter heaps of excrement as a basis for long-term monitoring of animal populations of Cervidae family. In: Modern Problems of Game Management and Protection of Biodiversity. Proceedings of International Conference. Belarusian State Technological University, Minsk, 204. [In Russian]
Lushchak, M. M., I. V. Delehan, M. S. Hunchak. 2006. Common Lynx (Lynx (Felis) lynx Linnaeus, 1758) in Carpathians. Naukovyi visnyk NLTU Ukrainy, 16 (7): 57–62. [In Ukrainian]
Lushchak, M., I. Delehan. 2008. Monitoring of large carnivores populations in Carpathians. Pratsi Naukovoho tovarystva im. Shevchenka, 23 (Ecological Collection): 264–275. [In Ukrainian]
Matiushkin, E. N. 2003a. Geographic range and its inner pattern. In: Lynx. Regional Peculiarities of Ecology, Use and Protection. Nauka, Moskva, 473–476. [In Russian]
Matiushkin, E. N. 2003b. Prospects of species protection and use. In: Lynx. Regional Peculiarities of Ecology, Use and Protection. Nauka, Moskva, 484–496. [In Russian]
Okarma H., S. Sniezko, W. Smietana. 2007. Home ranges of eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in the Polish Carpathian Mountains. Wildlife Biology, 13: 481–487. https://doi.org/10.2981/0909-6396(2007)13[481:HROELL]2.0.CO;2
Ozolins, J., Andersone-Lilley Z. 2008. An analysis of the game animal population data from Latvia. Baltic Forestry, 14 (1): 75–86.
Ornicans, A., J. Ozolins. 2010. Vidzeme iezimetu Eirazijas lusu (Lynx lynx) tevinu aktivitates un teritorialas uzvedibas izvertejums, izmantojot GPS telemetrijas datus. Latvijas Universitates, 68. Conference. 03.02.2010.
Ozolins, J., G. Bagrade, A. Ornicans, A. Zunna, G. Done, [et al.]. 2017. Action Plan for Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx Conservation and Management. LSFRI Silava, Salaspils, 1–78.
Palamarenko, O. V. 2015. Wild cat (Felis silvestris) and lynx (Lynx lynx) in Ukraine. Naukovyi visnyk NLTU Ukrainy, 25 (5): 78–84. [In Ukrainian]
Prieditis, N. 1999. Latvijas mezs: daba un daudzveidiba. WWF, Riga, 1–209.
Puzachenko, Yu. H., A. S. Zheltukhin, R. B. Sandlerskyi. 2010. Organization of winter route counts using GPS and remote information. Vestnyk okhotovedenyia, 7 (1): 98–117. [In Russian]
Savytskyi, B. P., S. V. Kuchmel, L. D. Burko. 2005. Mammals of Belarus. Ed. by B. P. Savytskуi. Belarussian State University, Minsk, 1–319. [In Russian]
Schmidt, K., W. Jedrzejewski, H. Okarma. 1997. Spatial organization and social relations in the Eurasian lynx population in Bialowieza Primeval Forest, Poland. Acta Theriologica, 42: 289–312. https://doi.org/10.4098/AT.arch.97-30
Schmidt, K. 2008. Behavioural and spatial adaptation of the Eurasian lynx to a decline in prey availability. Acta Theriologica, 53: 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03194274
Schmidt, K., T. Borowik. 2016. Proponowana metodyka monitoringu rysia eurazjatyckiego Lynx lynx w Polsce. Zalacznik nr 1 do Opis Przedmiotu Zamowienia, SIWZ, 84–95.
Sokur, I. T. 1961. Historical Changes and Use of mammal Fauna of Ukraine. Ukr. Acad. Sci. Publ. House, Kyiv, 1–84. [In Ukrainian]
Weingarth, K., T. Zeppenfeld, C. Heibl, M. Heurich, L. Bufka, K. Daniszova, J. Muller. 2015. Hide and seek: extended camera-trap session lengths and autumn provide best parameters for estimating lynx densities in mountainous areas. Biodiversity and Conservation, 24: 2935–2952. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-015-0986-5
Zhyla, S. M. 1999. Lynx (Felis lynx) in Ukrainian Polissia. In: Polissian Nature Reserve — 30 anniversary. Collection of articles. Zhytomyr, 93–100. [In Ukrainian]
Zhyla, S. M. 2001. Chornobyl catastrophe and large carnivores in Ukrainian Polissia. Modern Ecological Issues in Ukrainian Polissia and Adjacent Territories (towards 15 anniversary of Chornobyl Catastrophe) (Nizhyn, 18–20.09.2001). Nizhyn, 37–38. [In Ukrainian]
Zhyla, S. 2012. Polissian population of Lynx lynx in Ukraine and action plan on its conservation. Proceedings of the Theriological School, 11: 98–112. [In Ukrainian] https://doi.org/10.15407/ptt2012.11.098