Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 8.1
Overview of lynx reintroductions in Europe, 1970-2007 (from Linnell
et al
. 2009 ).
Country
Release
location
Years
Male
Female
Total
Source
Status
Fate
Size
Australia
Turrach,
Styria
1977-1979
6
3
9
Wild
O
F
—
Czech
Republic
Bohemian
Forest
1982-1989
11
7
18
Wild
O
S
75
Czech
Republic
Podyi NP
1993-1994
2
2
4-6
Captive
U
F
—
France
Vosges
1983-1989
12
9
21
Wild and
captive
O
S
30
Germany
Bavarian
Forest
1970-1974
5-10
Wild and
unknown
U
F
—
Germany
Harz
2000-2006
9
15
28
Captive
O (24) and
U (4)
U
?
Italy
Gran
Paradiso
NP
1975
2
0
2
Wild
O
F
—
Poland
Kampinos
1992-1999
14
17
31
Captive
O
U
>
10
Poland
Pisz Forest
2003-2006
2
4
Captive
O
U
?
Slovenia
Dinaric
Mountains
1973
3
3
6
Wild
O
S
130
Switzerland
Western
Alps
1971-1976
7
5
12
Wild
O (6) and
U (6)
S
100
Switzerland
Engadin
1972-1980
2
2
4
Wild
U
F
—
Switzerland
Jura
1972-1975
5
5
10
Wild
O (4) and
U (6)
S
80
Switzerland
Jorat
Plateau
1989
3
Unknown
U
F
—
Switzerland
Eastern Alps
2001-2007
5
6
11
Wild
O
U
?
Status: O, offi cially sanctioned reintroduction; U, unoffi cial or clandestine reintroduction.
Fate: F, failed; S, success; U, uncertain; ?, unknown population size at present.
the lake's shorelines, heavy fi shing mortality, lack of
native gene pools and complicated political jurisdic-
tions that rarely help environmentalists to work
towards a common goal (Meffe 1995; see also section
8.7 ).
Invasive species
pose a special problem. The
Great Lakes ecosystem is now home to at least 139
non-indigenous species of fauna and fl ora that have
become established following invasions or intentional
introductions. About 10% of the exotic species have
caused economic or ecological damage. Despite activi-
ties to reduce the causes of decline of the indigenous
species, most problems have not yet been solved ade-
quately. Nevertheless, several reintroduction attempts
have been made with various species. Much attention
for example has been given to the reintroduction of the
lake trout or charr (
Salvelinus namaycush
).
Large carnivore reintroduction not only is impor-
tant to enrich systems from a species-richness point of
view but also may be vital in restoring key
ecosystem
processes
such as predator-prey interactions. In Yel-
lowstone National Park (United States), the grey wolf,
Canis lupus
, had been deliberately extirpated, as part of
the management plan, from 1926 to 1995. In 1995,
a reintroduction programme was begun after which
wolf numbers steadily increased. In the riparian areas
of the park, the systems-level results were spectacular.
Since the wolves had disappeared, these areas had suf-
fered from heavy browsing by the native elk (or wapiti)
(
Cervus canadensis
), inhibiting recruitment of woody
plants like aspen and willows browzed by the elk,
which in turn led to cascading effects on other parts
of the riparian ecosystem. These included loss of
