PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
According to IUCN, the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most endangered feline species in the world. This medium-sized cat (8-14 kg) lives in areas characterised by a mixture of dense woodland, Mediterranean scrub and pasture, especially areas with an abundance of rabbits and where interference from humans is minimal. The species is endemic to the Iberian peninsula and, until the 14th century, could be found in all areas across Spain and Portugal.
Since that time, and particularly in recent decades, its population and distribution area suffered an alarming decline. A general census carried out in 1989 estimated that there were only around 1 000 – 1 200 individuals left. The bulk of the remaining population was restricted to parts of south western Spain, with a few individuals in Portugal.
The most important threat to the lynx has been reduced food availability. Rabbits make up around 80% of the lynx’s diet and these suffered a heavy decline through severe epidemics of myxomatosis and haemorrhagic disease. The transformation and destruction of lynx habitat also reduced and fragmented its distribution to only 48 small populations, of which only eight contained more than 25 individuals. Important additional non-natural causes of mortality include accidental deaths from trapping and collisions with cars.
This project is part of an overall multi-beneficiaries, multi-annual approach involving five regional governments, a national authority and a research institution. The relevant projects are:
LIFE94 NAT/E/004811 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004818 (Andalusia);
LIFE94 NAT/E/004814 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004815 (Extremadura);
LIFE94 NAT/E/004813 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004816 (Castilla la Mancha);
LIFE94 NAT/E/001186 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004817 (Castile and Leon);
LIFE94 NAT/E/004808 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004821 (Madrid);
LIFE94 NAT/E/004810 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004819 (National Directorate General for Nature Conservation);
LIFE94 NAT/E/004809 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004820 (CSIC – the Higher Council for Scientific Research).
OBJECTIVES
All the projects operating under the joint approach aimed to work towards combating the main threats affecting the Iberian lynx to guarantee the future long-term viability of the species. They sought to collectively increase understanding of the species and its needs, raise awareness of the threats to the species and start recovery and conservation of its habitat and a reduction in mortality.
The CSIC (Higher Council for Scientific Research) projects aimed to continue and increase research activities on the lynx from the Doñana Biological Station (EBD) to improve knowledge of the species' needs and the reasons behind its decline over recent decades. The study areas would include mainly Doñana National Park but also some parts of the Sierra Morena.
This sought to make a specific contribution to conservation of the lynx by establishing a suitable knowledge base on which to manage the population and its habitats. Four types of research studies were foreseen: habitat selection; factors contributing to the decline of the lynx; basic ecology and interaction with other carnivores; and population models.
RESULTS
Overall, the LIFE lynx projects dated 1994&1995 made a significant contribution to increasing knowledge and understanding of the Iberian lynx. They helped increase awareness of the needs and current situation of the species and laid the foundations for the potential long-term recovery of the species. The actions undertaken by the different partners and new possible solutions to the problems affecting the species were discussed periodically at Steering Committee meetings. They contributed to a National Strategy for lynx conservation, which was adopted by the National Commission on Nature Protection in February 1999.
The research projects led by the CSIC helped identify critical areas for lynx pardinus and informed the drawing up of conservation measures for them. A team of six specialized researchers collaborated in the research. They used radio-tracking of at least 18 individual lynx in the Sierra Morena and Donaña, which are the main lynx areas currently existing in Spain.
The study showed clearly that the lynx is highly dependent on the specific Mediterranean scrubland habitat and is excluded in areas where this habitat has been transformed. Open areas are avoided by the lynx - it was rarely found at a distance larger than 200 m from areas covered by dense vegetation. The main reasons for the decline of lynx in the past 30 years were confirmed to be habitat loss and falls in rabbit populations.
Interestingly, the investigations indicated that the lynx can control the abundance of other carnivore species that are usually persecuted, such as foxes, mongooses and genets. For example, the density of mongooses is reduced to 10% in areas where the lynx is present.
A population viability model was established, which allows simulations to determine the main factors affecting the probability of extinction. The model suggested that, without intervention, it is highly probable the small isolated subpopulations that survive in small areas will become extinct. It proposed 500 km2 as the minimum territory for a sustainable lynx population – 53% of the isolated sub-populations identified 1955-85 had disappeared. The model revealed that in the Doñana population there are more births than deaths, and that some areas - especially those surrounding the National Park - act as ‘sinks’ and others as ‘sources’ where the population remains stable.
The beneficiary produced scientific publications and articles for a relevant specialised magazine for hunters – Trofeo - a good awareness-raising initiative. The beneficiary also participated in the drawing up of the management plan for the species promoted by WWF International.Overall, the LIFE lynx projects dated 1994&1995 made a significant contribution to increasing knowledge and understanding of the Iberian lynx. They helped increase awareness of the needs and current situation of the species and laid the foundations for the potential long-term recovery of the species. The actions undertaken by the different partners and new possible solutions to the problems affecting the species were discussed periodically at Steering Committee meetings. They contributed to a National Strategy for lynx conservation, which was adopted by the National Commission on Nature Protection in February 1999.
The research projects led by the CSIC helped identify critical areas for lynx pardinus and informed the drawing up of conservation measures for them. A team of six specialized researchers collaborated in the research. They used radio-tracking of at least 18 individual lynx in the Sierra Morena and Donaña, which are the main lynx areas currently existing in Spain.
The study showed clearly that the lynx is highly dependent on the specific Mediterranean scrubland habitat and is excluded in areas where this habitat has been transformed. Open areas are avoided by the lynx - it was rarely found at a distance larger than 200 m from areas covered by dense vegetation. The main reasons for the decline of lynx in the past 30 years were confirmed to be habitat loss and falls in rabbit populations.
Interestingly, the investigations indicated that the lynx can control the abundance of other carnivore species that are usually persecuted, such as foxes, mongooses and genets. For example, the density of mongooses is reduced to 10% in areas where the lynx is present.
A population viability model was established, which allows simulations to determine the main factors affecting the probability of extinction. The model suggested that, without intervention, it is highly probable the small isolated subpopulations that survive in small areas will become extinct. It proposed 500 km2 as the minimum territory for a sustainable lynx population – 53% of the isolated sub-populations identified 1955-85 had disappeared. The model revealed that in the Doñana population there are more births than deaths, and that some areas - especially those surrounding the National Park - act as ‘sinks’ and others as ‘sources’ where the population remains stable.
The beneficiary produced scientific publications and articles for a relevant specialised magazine for hunters – Trofeo - a good awareness-raising initiative. The beneficiary also participated in the drawing up of the management plan for the species promoted by WWF International.