How hunting and legal regulations shape ecological connectivity in the alpine region
Jonas Kahlen, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (AT)
This project analyzes ecological connectivity for the major wide-ranging game species in the context of the (predominant) hunting systems in the alpine region and is conducted as part of the Alpbionet2030 project. The dispersal of wide-ranging wildlife species in the alpine region is dependent on ecological connectivity across natural and human induced barriers. Most of these species are considered game animals and are managed under various hunting systems. These hunting systems differ throughout the alpine region, as they are subject to legislation and are influenced by regional traditions. Wildlife management strategies and applied hunting methods can strongly influence seasonal movement and spatial distribution patterns of game species. Therefore, hunting systems may inherently constitute barriers to connectivity. Here we show how hunting methods and legislation can influence, ecological connectivity across the Alpine arch. Possible disruptions of connectivity by hunting activities may also have implications for wildlife within protected areas, even when these are not directly managed by hunting.