Jędrzejewski W., Nowak S., Kurek R., Mysłajek R. W., Stachura K., Zawadzka B., Pchałek M. 2009. Animals and roads: Methods of mitigation the negative impact of roads on wildlife. Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowiez.a, 94 pp. ISBN 978-83-907521-9-8.
This book deals with conflicts between nature conservation and the development of transportation infrastructure. Using examples from Poland and elsewhere, the authors show how the negative impact of roads and railways on animal population and their habitats can be minimised or mitigated. Poland is one of very few European countries that still have extensive natural habitats and vital populations of rare animals, including big charismatic mammals such as European bison, moose, brown bear, wolf and lynx. The authors' goal is to provide basic knowledge on interactions between roads, railways, and wildlife, and help make good decisions on road location and mitigation measures. The book is recommended for readers from institutions and organizations dealing with nature conservation, land-use management and planning, as well as road and railway investors and designers. It will also be useful as educational matherial for teachers and students of biology, environmental conservation, forestry, wildlife management, and related disciplines. For futher details please contact a library of the Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences: http://www.zbs.bialowieza.pl
Jędrzejewski W., Jędrzejewska B., Zawadzka B., Borowik T., Nowak S., Mysłajek R. W. 2008. Habitat suitability model for Polish wolves Canis lupus based on long-term national census. Animal Conservation 11: 377-390.
The central-European population of wolves Canis lupus has its western border of contiguous range in eastern Poland. Protected since 1998, Polish wolves began to expand towards the west. Based on large-scale data on wolf abundance (2000–2006) and geographic information system (GIS) tools, we built a habitat suitability model (HSM) for the species in Poland. The best model, selected by the Akaike information criterion, of the resource selection function (RSF) by wolves included percentage cover of forests, meadows and marshes (positively correlated to wolf abundance) and road density (negatively correlated), and explained 53% of the total variation in the wolf abundance index in a 10x10km cell grid. That RSF was then used to evaluate the whole country in terms of suitability for wolves. Potential wolf range appeared to consist of 24 patches of good habitat (predicted relative probability of wolf occurrence Z30%), including six patches already occupied and 17 new ones. In total, habitat suitable for wolves covers at least 20–24% of Poland, compared with 16% of the country’s area now occupied by the species. HSM was validated with historical data on wolf occurrence in 1950–2006. The areas selected by our model and those inhabited by wolves in at least one decade overlapped in 81–86%. Furthermore, the probability of wolf occurrence predicted by the model correlated positively with the number of decades the wolves were actually recorded in the area. Based on the empirical relationship between patch size and wolf numbers, we estimated that Poland could support a population of 1450–1540 wolves, two to three times larger than the current estimate. HSM needs to be supplemented with a GIS-based connectivity analysis among patches, which in turn should be validated by molecular genetics studies on dispersing wolves. Because of broadly similar geographic conditions, the model may be applicable to eastern Germany, Belarus Republic and the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia).
Niedziałkowska M., Jędrzejewski W., Mysłajek R. W., Nowak S., Jędrzejewska B., Schmidt K. 2006. Habitat requirements of the Eurasian lynx in Poland – large scale census and GIS mapping. Biological Conservation 133: 63-69.
Based on data from the National Lynx Census, carried out in Poland in 2000–2001, and using Geographic Information System, we analysed nine habitat characteristics in 56 circular sample plots (113 km2 each), where lynx (Lynx lynx) have been recorded, and 118 plots with no signs of their presence. In plots with lynx the forest cover (on average 68%) was two times higher and the forest fragmentation lower than in plots with no lynx records. The plots with and without lynx differed significantly also in the number of villages and towns, length of main motorways and railways. Lynx occurrence was negatively associated to human settlements and transportation infrastructure. Logistic regression analysis showed that sufficient forest cover (>40%) and the short straight-line distance to the eastern or southern border of Poland (as a proxy of the distance to a more contiguous range of lynx in Europe) are the two most important variables explaining lynx distribution. We conclude that, in Poland, increase of forest fragmentation and transportation infrastructure may become important threats to lynx populations.
Jędrzejewski W., Niedziałkowska M., Mysłajek R. W., Nowak S., Jędrzejewska B. 2005. Habitat selection by wolves Canis lupus in the uplands and mountains of southern Poland. Acta Theriologica 50: 417-428.
Using data from the National Wolf Census, carried out in Poland in 2000–2001, and GIS techniques we analysed habitat selection by wolves Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 in uplands and mountains of southern Poland. We compared ten habitat variables and two parameters related to wolf abundance in 52 circular plots (154 km2 each) with recorded wolves and 97 randomly selected plots with no signs of wolf presence. Wolf plots were characterized by higher elevation and closer location to the state border than wolf-free plots. Furthermore, wolf plots had higher forest cover, but smaller number of villages and towns and shorter railways and roads than plots without wolves. The best model explaining wolf distribution included forest cover, number of villages, length of roads and railway lines. Compared to northern Poland, the southern part of the country offers worse habitats for wolves due to significantly denser network of settlements and transportation routes.
Jędrzejewski W., Niedziałkowska M., Nowak S., Jędrzejewska B. 2004. Habitat variables associated with wolf (Canis lupus) distribution and abundance in northern Poland. Diversity and Distributions 10: 225-233.
Based on data collected during the National Wolf Census in 2000–01, we analysed the main habitat factors influencing the distribution and abundance of the wolf, Canis lupus, in northern Poland. The study region forms the western border of the continuous Eastern European range of wolves, although attempts at westward dispersal have been observed. Using Geographic Information System techniques, we measured nine habitat variables and three parameters related to wolf occurrence in 134 circular sample plots (radius 7 km, area 154 km2 each). We compared 72 plots where wolves were recorded and 62 plots with no signs of wolf presence. Wolf plots were characterized by significantly higher forest cover, less fragmentation of forests, lower density of villages, towns, motorways, and railways than wolf-free plots. We found a positive correlation between the sum of wolf observations in plots and forest cover. The number of domestic animals killed by wolves was higher in areas with higher indices of wolf abundance and lower forest area. In multiple regression analysis, four independent variables explained 59% of the variation in wolf distribution and abundance in northern Poland: straight-line distance to continuous range of wolves in Eastern Europe; forest cover; forest fragmentation; and length of major motorways. We conclude that protection of wolves in Poland (since 1998) may not be an adequate conservation measure, especially because of the increasing density of highways and express motorways. Existing forest corridors should be protected and new ones should be restored to ensure long-term conservation of wolves and allow range expansion into Western Europe.
