Expanding the range of the lynx population in northern Poland

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) once inhabited almost all of Europe and most of Asia. As a result of human activities such as deforestation, ongoing urbanization, the decline of suitable habitats and direct extermination of this predator, the species has disappeared from some of the most densely populated areas, in particular the western and central parts of the European plains.

Threats to the Baltic population of lynx in the area covered by the project are:

• High mortality rate of natural or anthropogenic origin;
• Low genetic variation especially in small and isolated European populations;
• Lack of connectivity in the metapopulation across Poland and Lithuania due to habitat loss and forest fragmentation;
• Low social acceptance impacting chances for successful reintroduction.
  

The lynx population in the lowlands of north-eastern Poland is stable, but almost isolated from the rest of the Baltic population.

According to the forecasts for the future of the Baltic lynx metapopulation in Poland, the chances for its survival in the long term rely on the growth of local populations of the species and the maintenance of strong ecological connections in zones where the predator is most commonly found in the east. The size of the Baltic population in four European Union (EU) countries including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland is estimated to be between 1 500 and 2 000 individuals. Latvia and Estonia account for about 90 % of the population, with the remaining 10 % in Lithuania and Poland. The territory of Lithuania is a very important link between the westernmost populations of lynx in Poland and the species range in neighbouring Latvia.

Thanks to the project, the lynx population range will be restored in the area with the best habitat conditions for this species to preserve the ecological connectivity in the lowland part of Poland spanning the Northern Ecological Corridor, towards Lithuania and Germany.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective is to improve the uncertain situation of the Eurasian lynx at the edge of its natural range in Poland and to resolve identified problems and threats.

Specific objectives are:

1. Restoring the historical range of the Baltic lynx population in central Europe by establishing genetically diverse local ‘stepping-stone’ populations in northern Poland;
2. Creating conditions for the effective dispersal and gene flow within and outside the Baltic lynx metapopulation in Poland by connecting the core range of the species in eastern Europe with the peripheral populations in central Europe via the bridge populations in Lithuania;
3. Gaining public acceptance of conservation and management strategies for the Baltic lynx metapopulation in Poland in cooperation with key stakeholders and international partners.
   

These goals will be achieved by providing:

1. Genetically diverse founder groups composed of at least 40 individuals for local lynx populations;
2. High success rate of the reintroduction programme by eliminating threats to local populations;
3. A ‘genotype library’ of the Eurasian lynx to be used in the planning of ex situ and in situ conservation measures such as the identification of genetically unique individuals, the determination of population origin and, by establishing how best to promote gene flow;
4. Recommendations for actions to maintain ecological connectivity along the Northern Ecological Corridor and in the local Natura 2000 network of areas;
5. Public support for maintaining the conservation status of the lynx in Poland and Lithuania, including the support of key stakeholders like foresters and hunters;
6. Knowledge of best practice and experiences related to the reintroduction of lynx in Poland and Europe;
7. Conservation and management strategies for the Baltic lynx metapopulation in Poland to ensure its viability and thus, the sustainability of project results.

RESULTS

1. Maintaining the range of lynx occurrence in the area covered by the project across the Continental Region.
2. Increasing the distribution area of lynx in the Continental Region from 13 200 km2 to at least 17 200 km2 by 2027.
3. Multiplying the minimum number of lynxes for the Continental Region from 117 individuals to 149 individuals in 2028. This target is based on the assumption that the introduction of an additional 40 lynxes to the project area will increase the population by at least 26 relocated individuals.
4. Creating a genotype library of the Eurasian lynx as a tool for effective planning and reintroduction, while monitoring the gene flow in the Baltic metapopulations of Poland, Lithuania and Germany.
5. Preparing a report with recommendations to maintain the cohesion of the Northern Ecological Corridor and the network of Natura 2000 sites developed on the basis of geographic information system (GIS) analysis.
6. Maintaining social acceptance for the conservation status of lynx in Poland, Lithuania and Germany, confirmed by public opinion polls.
7. Raising the level of knowledge among representatives of various professional and interest groups and nature protection services for the purposes of effective conservation activities.
8. Preparing surveys and drafting reports to facilitate the flow of information and experience gathered on the project and make sure the activities continue.