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Collaborative project: The recolonization of the cultural landscape by the wolf - Habitat use, impact on prey populations and possible consequences for regional agriculture and forestry. Subproject 3 (WeideWildWolf)
Project
Project code: 28RZ7014
Contract period: 25.06.2019
- 30.06.2024
Budget: 250,028 Euro
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Keywords: animal welfare, small-scale farming, grassland, animal experiment subject to authorisation, agricultural biodiversity, cattle, wildlife, forestry, landscape, landscape preservation, small ruminants, biological diversity
The recolonization of the cultural landscape by the wolf is a success story in species conservation, but is also accompanied by major challenges. Since the first wolf packs appeared in Germany in the year 2000, the population has been growing exponentially. Simultaneously, the number of conflicts, in particular with pasture-based livestock farming, is increasing. Apart from data on population development, a solution-oriented wolf management, mindful of both species conservation and human land use interests, requires a profound understanding of the consequences of the wolf recolonization for land use (pasture-based livestock farming, forestry, wildlife management) and ecosystem development. Wolf monitoring in Germany is extensive but, until now, there are few systematic research projects. Within the scope of a five-year project, a first attempt will be made to address the main knowledge gaps concerning the wolf recolonization in a systematic way and within one region. Especially in Bavaria, wolves will soon inhabit new areas. The project region is situated in the northeast of Bavaria (Oberpfalz), centred on the Grafenwöhr and Hohenfels military training areas. The main goal of the project is to improve the operational framework for the future wolf management based on sound data in the main areas of conflict, in order to promote a more objective discussion and evidence-based decisions related to wolves in Germany. To gain a conclusive and multidimensional data basis, a broad spectrum of technologies and research methods will be used. Wolf-related changes in land use and habitat development in the project region will be recorded and analysed in a systematic way. The aim is to use sound data to better assess the practical relevance and the potential need for action related to the consequences of wolf recolonization. The project partners will closely cooperate and share tasks across topics. The focus is on three closely linked main topics: (1) Assessment of wolf habitat use based on GPS telemetry with regard to human land use; (2) Wolf impact on regional pasture-based livestock farming, potential risk factors, and the potential indirect influence of wolves on the rejuvenation in commercial forests and the succession of open habitat vegetation in Grafenwöhr military training area; (3) Predator-prey relationships and their consequences for wildlife management: numeric and functional effects of wolves on game populations, particularly relating to changes in red deer behaviour and population development based on GPS telemetry, camera traps and population monitoring. Against the background of the still growing need for research, one task of the project is to gain experiences with new techniques and methodological approaches.
Section overview
Subjects
- Grassland
- Forestry
- Wildlife Biology
- Genetic Resources
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Funding institution
Project management agencies
Associated projects: WeideWildWolf
- Collaborative project: The recolonization of the cultural landscape by the wolf - Habitat use, impact on prey populations and possible consequences for regional agriculture and forestry. Subproject 1
- Collaborative project: The recolonization of the cultural landscape by the wolf - Habitat use, impact on prey populations and possible consequences for regional agriculture and forestry. Subproject 2
