Habitat preferences of Eurasian lynx and predator-prey interactions in Moravian Karst

Piyasart Kumhom

Master's thesis

Habitatové preference rysa ostrovida a interakce predátor-kořist v Moravském krasu

Abstract:

Detailní informace o preferovaných biotopech, obzvláště loveckých biotopech rysa ostrovida (Lynx lynx) jsou nezbytné pro zajištění jeho ochrany. Biotopy a mikrobiotopy rysa ostrovida v kulturní krajině Moravského krasu byly sledovány od léta 2017 do zimy 2019/2020. Analyzovali jsme parametry mikrobiotopů na 75 místech, kde byl uloven srnec obecný (Capreolus capreolus) (57 případů) a muflon (Ovis orientalis) (18 případů). Rys ostrovid lovil svou kořist v místech, kde heterogenita vidiltelnosti byla nízká, bylo zde málo skalných míst a větví jehličnanů, ale byla zde hustý vegetační prokryv.

Abstract:

The conservation of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) needs more detailed information concerning their preferred habitat, especially in the hunting site’s habitat. The habitats and microhabitats at hunting sites of Eurasian lynx in the cultural landscape of Moravian Karst were studied since summer 2017 until winter 2019/2020. We analyzed microhabitat parameters at 75 kill sites, where European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and mouflon (Ovis orientalis) were killed at 57 and 18 locations, respectively. Such parameters were compared with 58 random points in the Eurasian home range. The Eurasian lynx hunted its prey at sites where there was low heterogeneity in visibility, few stones, and few coniferous branches, while the ground cover vegetation was dense.

Keywords

kulturní krajině, zabiják místo, mikrobiotopy, predátorství, sledování kryt

Keywords

stalking cover, cultural landscape, kill site, microhabitat, predation

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 21. 4. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. Miroslav Kutal, Ph.D.

Mendel University in Brno

Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology

Master programme / field:
European Forestry / European Forestry