Challenges for future wildlife management in and around protected areas
Peter Brang, Key note
Wild ungulates are an important part of the fauna in protected areas (PA) such as national parks. They often shape their habitat and influence species richness, e.g. by preventing forest expansion into meadows or by influencing the tree species composition of forests. Ungulates are often managed in different ways in and around PA. The presentation will showcase long-term challenges for their management in and around PA using examples from Europe, including rising impacts of ungulates related to their increased abundance, the need for an increase in strongly browsed tree species to adapt to changing climates, the potential spread of diseases from wild ungulates to domestic livestock, and the arrival of large predators. Addressing these challenges requires a good understanding of the ecosystems managed and decision makers which are flexible, willing to develop new solutions, patient and able to communicate.