12.5 Conclusions for Nature Conservation
and Management of Rock Ptarmigan Population
in Triglav National Park
Due to the lack of basic data on the species’ distribution and influences of environmental and human impacts on population numbers, active conservation management of rock ptarmigan in TNP does not exist, yet. With the help of long-term
surveys and related research the park should be able to implement appropriate
management measures for conserving viable populations of this species. Anyway,
with the monitoring results the management authority of TNP will be able (1) to
determine what environmental factors and human activities influencing rock ptarmigan population distribution and dynamics, (2) to determine the areas with
specific restrictions and areas with strict protection, and (3) to define the areas
where the corridors should be implemented.
For conservation purposes the monitoring programme should answer the following questions:
1. How will climate change effect the species’ distribution and population numbers
in TNP?
2. How will human impacts effect the species’ distribution and population numbers
in TNP?
3. How will vegetation changes effect seasonal movements, distribution, reproduction, and diet for the species?
4. Which species will compete for habitat, food and other resources in a changing
environment with ptarmigans?
5. Where are potential future nesting and wintering habitats for ptarmigan population in TNP?
The present research will provide the introduction to gathering answers to the
above questions.
The conservation of appropriate habitats (Fig. 12.3) is probably the most important
management strategy for maintaining a viable population of rock ptarmigan when
declines in local populations of this species will be observed due to climate change.
Especially the areas with large variation in topographic and geomorphologic structures (Fig. 12.4) are particularly important, because they provide better potential for
the birds to adapt to weather fluctuations by taking advantage of differences in microsite-specific climates (Favaron et al. 2006; Revermann et al. 2012). Therefore, the
strict protection – the closure of some of such areas together with the highest peaks of
the mountains within TNP should be provided. Those areas should serve as the last
breeding refugia as the breeding place is expected to shift to the higher elevations.
Additionally, the establishment and maintenance of the corridors connections will
contribute to gene exchange with other local populations.
The anthropogenic pressures, like: (1) ski touring, (2) paragliding, (3) mountaineering, (4) intensive pasture, should be limited or prohibited where they are recognised
as a treat to the species. In such habitats with reduced additional stresses, the species is
12 Concept for the Monitoring of Climate Induced. . .
191
and Management of Rock Ptarmigan Population
in Triglav National Park
Due to the lack of basic data on the species’ distribution and influences of environmental and human impacts on population numbers, active conservation management of rock ptarmigan in TNP does not exist, yet. With the help of long-term
surveys and related research the park should be able to implement appropriate
management measures for conserving viable populations of this species. Anyway,
with the monitoring results the management authority of TNP will be able (1) to
determine what environmental factors and human activities influencing rock ptarmigan population distribution and dynamics, (2) to determine the areas with
specific restrictions and areas with strict protection, and (3) to define the areas
where the corridors should be implemented.
For conservation purposes the monitoring programme should answer the following questions:
1. How will climate change effect the species’ distribution and population numbers
in TNP?
2. How will human impacts effect the species’ distribution and population numbers
in TNP?
3. How will vegetation changes effect seasonal movements, distribution, reproduction, and diet for the species?
4. Which species will compete for habitat, food and other resources in a changing
environment with ptarmigans?
5. Where are potential future nesting and wintering habitats for ptarmigan population in TNP?
The present research will provide the introduction to gathering answers to the
above questions.
The conservation of appropriate habitats (Fig. 12.3) is probably the most important
management strategy for maintaining a viable population of rock ptarmigan when
declines in local populations of this species will be observed due to climate change.
Especially the areas with large variation in topographic and geomorphologic structures (Fig. 12.4) are particularly important, because they provide better potential for
the birds to adapt to weather fluctuations by taking advantage of differences in microsite-specific climates (Favaron et al. 2006; Revermann et al. 2012). Therefore, the
strict protection – the closure of some of such areas together with the highest peaks of
the mountains within TNP should be provided. Those areas should serve as the last
breeding refugia as the breeding place is expected to shift to the higher elevations.
Additionally, the establishment and maintenance of the corridors connections will
contribute to gene exchange with other local populations.
The anthropogenic pressures, like: (1) ski touring, (2) paragliding, (3) mountaineering, (4) intensive pasture, should be limited or prohibited where they are recognised
as a treat to the species. In such habitats with reduced additional stresses, the species is
12 Concept for the Monitoring of Climate Induced. . .
191