1. review of negative impact factors threatening mammal populations in Germany
- Creator:
- Meinig, Holger U. and Boye, Peter
- Type:
- article and TEXT
- Subject:
- conservation, forest management, agriculture, direct take, habitat destruction and fragmentation, invasive alien species, and climate change
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Factors which have a negative impact on mammal populations were reviewed for all 83 native species occurring in Germany today. Forest management affects most species of the mammal fauna as well as of the sub-groups of Red List species and of species for which a special responsibility for their conservation has been determined in Germany. This is because a high proportion of German mammals are forest-dwelling, which means they are exposed to current harmful forestry practices such as selective harvest of ancient trees. The review also highlights population reduction by direct take of individuals (legal, illegal or accidental) and habitat fragmentation as major conservation problems affecting many species. The analysis of negative impact factors underline the importance of ongoing „traditional“ conservation measures. However, the result of climate change and invasive alien species being less important for conservation, as only few species are affected so far in Germany, is doubtful. The impacts of these two factors may be underestimated owing to a general lack of data. To ensure that conservation problems can be identified and appropriate measures are taken, the implementation of a mammal monitoring programme and specific research projects are needed. International cooperation might be helpful to overcome national shortcomings in mammal conservation in Germany and other European countries.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/