Spatial density estimates of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges Mountains. Issue 20 (27th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gimenez, Olivier; Gatti, Sylvain; Duchamp, Christophe; Germain, Estelle; Laurent, Alain; Zimmermann, Fridolin; Marboutin, Eric
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 9:Issue 20(2019)
• Page Start: 11707
• Page End: 11715
• Publication Date: 2019-09-27
• Subjects: camera trapping -- large carnivores -- noninvasive sampling -- photo identification -- spatially explicit capture–recapture models; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5668
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Obtaining estimates of animal population density is a key step in providing sound conservation and management strategies for wildlife. For many large carnivores however, estimating density is difficult because these species are elusive and wide‐ranging. Here, we focus on providing the first density estimates of the Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx ) in the French Jura and Vosges mountains. We sampled a total of 413 camera trapping sites (with two cameras per site) between January 2011 and April 2016 in seven study areas across seven counties of the French Jura and Vosges mountains. We obtained 592 lynx detections over 19, 035 trap days in the Jura mountains and 0 detection over 6, 804 trap days in the Vosges mountains. Based on coat patterns, we identified a total number of 92 unique individuals from photographs, including 16 females, 13 males, and 63 individuals of unknown sex. Using spatial capture–recapture (SCR) models, we estimated abundance in the study areas between 5 ( SE = 0.1) and 29 (0.2) lynx and density between 0.24 ( SE = 0.02) and 0.91 ( SE = 0.03) lynx per 100 km 2 . We also provide a comparison with nonspatial density estimates and discuss the observed discrepancies. Our study is yet another example of the advantage of combining SCR methods and noninvasive sampling techniques to estimate density for elusive and wide‐ranging species, like large carnivores. While the estimated densities in the French Jura mountains are comparable to other lynx populations in Europe, the fact that we detected no lynx in the Vosges mountains is alarming. Connectivity should be encouraged between the French Jura mountains, the Vosges mountains, and the Palatinate Forest in Germany where a reintroduction program is currently ongoing. Our density estimates will help in setting a baseline conservation status for the lynx population in France. Abstract : We provide the first density estimates for the Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx ) in the French Jura and Vosges mountains. Our study is yet another example of the advantage of combining spatial capture–recapture methods and noninvasive sampling techniques to estimate density for elusive and wide‐ranging species like large carnivores. While the estimated densities in the French Jura mountains are comparable to other lynx populations in Europe, the situation in the Vosges mountains is alarming. Our density estimates will help in setting a baseline conservation status for the lynx population in France.