more likely to adapt to environmental changes. According to human pressures on rock
ptarmigan population, the closed areas should be defined, or time and space limitations
in areas with rock ptarmigan presence should be ensured.
The use of population viability analysis and applying species distribution models
to identify the treats and suitable habitats for rock ptarmigan are, in addition to
monitoring and scientific research, the most important task in adaptive conservation
strategies. Species-habitat relationship modelling helps to organise and document
factors associated with habitat evaluation and planning as well as provide help to
monitor species and environments (Guisan and Thuiller 2005; Morrison
et al. 1978).
Considering the small population size and naturally fragmented populations of
rock ptarmigan in the Alps (Favaron et al. 2006; Storch 2007) genetic approaches in
species conservation are particularly important. Furthermore, the knowledge on
genetic basis of selectively favoured phenotypes allows the prediction and mitigation of the effects of climate change on population viability (Reusch and Wood
2007 cited in Oyler-McCance et al. 2011).
Finally, the understanding of species ecology, interactions with other species and
potential overlapping ecological niches will be possible with long-term monitoring
and scientific research. So far, the interactions of rock ptarmigan, corvids (Corvus
sp.), alpine marmots (Marmota marmota) and golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
were observed and analysed under different conditions or situations (Figueroa
et al. 2009; Storch and Leidenberger 2003; Watson and Moss 2004). In order to
include predictions of such complex species interactions in changing environmental
conditions or under human impact in our park’s management issues will require
more specific studies.
Acknowledgements The present study was carried out under the “Adaptive Management of
Climate-induced changes of Habitat Diversity in Protected Areas” (“HABIT-CHANGE”) project,
supported by Central Europe. First and foremost, I would like to thank to our project coordinator
Sven Rannow and project manager Marco Neubert for the valuable guidance and advice during
writing a paper. Special thanks go to both referees, Andrej Sovinc, Peter Sackl and one anonymous
author who improved the manuscript with their constructive reviews and helpful comments.
I would also like to thank Miha Marolt for providing the maps and Luka Markez ˇ for providing
photos. Finally, I am very grateful to Tanja Menegalija, the project coordinator in Triglav National
Park, who gave me the opportunity to work on that project.
Open Access This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
Noncommercial License, which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.
References
Alexander, M. (2008). Management planning for nature conservation. A theoretical basis &
practical guide. Barmouth: Springer.
Beniston, M. (1997).Variations of snow depth and duration in the Swiss Alps over the last
50 years: Links to changes in large-scale climatic forcings. Climatic Change, 36, 281–300.
Retrieved June 28, 2012, from http://www.unige.ch/climate/Publications/Beniston/CC97B.pdf
12 Concept for the Monitoring of Climate Induced. . .
193
ptarmigan population, the closed areas should be defined, or time and space limitations
in areas with rock ptarmigan presence should be ensured.
The use of population viability analysis and applying species distribution models
to identify the treats and suitable habitats for rock ptarmigan are, in addition to
monitoring and scientific research, the most important task in adaptive conservation
strategies. Species-habitat relationship modelling helps to organise and document
factors associated with habitat evaluation and planning as well as provide help to
monitor species and environments (Guisan and Thuiller 2005; Morrison
et al. 1978).
Considering the small population size and naturally fragmented populations of
rock ptarmigan in the Alps (Favaron et al. 2006; Storch 2007) genetic approaches in
species conservation are particularly important. Furthermore, the knowledge on
genetic basis of selectively favoured phenotypes allows the prediction and mitigation of the effects of climate change on population viability (Reusch and Wood
2007 cited in Oyler-McCance et al. 2011).
Finally, the understanding of species ecology, interactions with other species and
potential overlapping ecological niches will be possible with long-term monitoring
and scientific research. So far, the interactions of rock ptarmigan, corvids (Corvus
sp.), alpine marmots (Marmota marmota) and golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
were observed and analysed under different conditions or situations (Figueroa
et al. 2009; Storch and Leidenberger 2003; Watson and Moss 2004). In order to
include predictions of such complex species interactions in changing environmental
conditions or under human impact in our park’s management issues will require
more specific studies.
Acknowledgements The present study was carried out under the “Adaptive Management of
Climate-induced changes of Habitat Diversity in Protected Areas” (“HABIT-CHANGE”) project,
supported by Central Europe. First and foremost, I would like to thank to our project coordinator
Sven Rannow and project manager Marco Neubert for the valuable guidance and advice during
writing a paper. Special thanks go to both referees, Andrej Sovinc, Peter Sackl and one anonymous
author who improved the manuscript with their constructive reviews and helpful comments.
I would also like to thank Miha Marolt for providing the maps and Luka Markez ˇ for providing
photos. Finally, I am very grateful to Tanja Menegalija, the project coordinator in Triglav National
Park, who gave me the opportunity to work on that project.
Open Access This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
Noncommercial License, which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.
References
Alexander, M. (2008). Management planning for nature conservation. A theoretical basis &
practical guide. Barmouth: Springer.
Beniston, M. (1997).Variations of snow depth and duration in the Swiss Alps over the last
50 years: Links to changes in large-scale climatic forcings. Climatic Change, 36, 281–300.
Retrieved June 28, 2012, from http://www.unige.ch/climate/Publications/Beniston/CC97B.pdf
12 Concept for the Monitoring of Climate Induced. . .
193