Density and vulnerability of capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in the area of Vitoroga in the Republika Srpska

Capercaillie is a threatened species over the greater part of Europe. The main causes of its vulnerability are, inter alia, habitat changes and forest operations. The aim of this paper is to estimate the capercaillie population size in the south­eastern part of Mt. Vitorog, and to make a comparative analysis of forest state so as to assess the impact of forest operations on this micropopulation. Its spring density (0.7­1.3 birds per km2) is lower compared to other Eurasian habitats (1.0­3.0 birds per km2). This was significantly contributed by the habitat changes and by the frequent disturbances of birds caused by forest operations. The present state of forests in FMU 'Vitoroga' is characterized by canopy thinning, changed mixture proportion (percentage of spruce increased on the account of fir), decrease in wood volume and increase in the number of smaller­diameter trees. Our results show that forestry operations are not harmonised with the biological demands of the capercaillie.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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