The wolf population in Poland. Małgorzata Czyżewska Nature Protection Department Directorate General of the State Forests

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1 The wolf population in Poland Małgorzata Czyżewska Nature Protection Department Directorate General of the State Forests

2 The State Forests National Forest Holding The State Forests are the largest organisation in the European Union managing forests which are state property. Our management stretches on almost 1/3 of Poland s territory. We care for the biodiversity of forests, we protect them against threats as natural desasters, insect plagues, tree diseases, fires, pollution, as well as against consequences of vandalism and poaching. We care for nature and yet enable all people safe use of the forest wealth. 2

3 Sustainable forest management Poland appears on the top list of European countries with the largest forest area. Polish forests cover 29,2% of the country s territory, an area of 9,1 million hectares. The vast majority of them are state owned forests, 7,6 million hectares are managed by the State Forests National Forest Holding. 3

4 Nature protection In forests managed by the State Forests National Forest Holding nature protection is undertaken in various ways. Nature reserves, nature monuments, species protection these are some examples of it. 4

5 Natura 2000 The majority of Natura 2000 areas was established on forest ground. They make up 40 percent of the areas under State Forests management, covering 2,8 million hectares. Foresters are responsible for those habitats and the population of species under protection of Natura

6 History of the species protection overview 1927 the wolf was classified as a wild hunting animal; 1955 combating of the wolf as a pest; 1975 the wolf was enrolled on the list of hunting animals and taken under seasonal protection; 1998 protection on the whole country s area. 6

7 Habitat Directive Directive of the European Council 92/43/EEC of 21st May 1992 on the conservation of wild habitats and of wild fauna and flora Amended by: M1 Council Directive of 27th October 1997 M2 Regulation 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and Council A1 Act of Accession of Austria, Sweden and Finland C A2 Act concerning the terms of accession of the Czech Republic, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Hungary, Republic of Malta, Republic of Poland, Republic of Slovenia and Republic of Slovakia and adaptation of the Treaties constituting the basis of the European Union Rectified by: C1 Rectification (92/43/EEC)M3 Council Directive 2006/105 of 20th November

8 Canis lupus 2. National law Nature Conservation Act of 16th April 2004 art. 4 the obligation ( ) of organisational units is caring for nature as a national heritage and wealth. o Obligations arise for all institutions art. 91 the supervising organ in nature conservation issues is the General Director for Environmental Protection. o direct supervision and management of the species by the General Directorate for Environmental Protection; o The State Treasury is responsible for damages caused by this species: art defines potential bans for the species. 8

9 2. National law Regulation of the Minister of Environment of 12th October 2011 on species protection of animals, specifies the detailed provisions: Species under strict protection; Protection site zone of 500m radius around the burrow in the period from 1st April 31st August; On the State Forests area there is one zone of periodical protection of an area of 96,25 hectares.. Canis lupus 9

10 Canis lupus Number ~ 850 animals Since 2005 recolonization of of West Poland 10

11 Activities Natura 2000 sites protecting the wolves habitats 73 sites Area of km² 25% of favourable wolf habitats areas in Poland Plans of Protective Activities for Natura 2000 sites 11

12 Environmental selectivity model of the wolf 20-24% of Poland s area constitute very good and good habitats for wolves <20% unfavorable habitats (60% of Poland, 4% of wolf appearances) 20-30% poor habitats (14% of Poland, 3% of wolf appearances) 30-50% good and very good habitats (18% of Poland, 31% of wolf appearances) >50% very good habitats (8% of Poland, 62% of wolf appearances) 12

13 Current and potential population quantity of wolves in favourable habitats in Poland Potential number : 1586 wolves Current number: 850 wolves Inhabited areas Poorly inhabited areas Number of wolves: 70 potential (74) Current Areas favourable for the wolf 13

14 Monitoring Photo traps a chance to get acquainted with customary behaviour and new territories occupied Monitoring of animal routes; Inventories (scent marking, defecation); Attaching collars. 14

15 Benefits Reducing the influence of herbivores on renewed forests; Preservation of the species in good shape. Disadvantages: Conflicts with farmers; Social response; Hunters view on wolves; Incomplete genetical identification do we have a Northern and Carpathian subpopulation or a population of the same origin? 15

16 Wolf population - Initiatives of Polish foresters LIFE+ project Biodiversity protection in forest areas, including Natura 2000 sites promotion of best practices (LIFE10INF/PL/000673), co-financed by the European Union and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, realised by the Coordination Centre for Environmental Projects, aims at promotion of best practices in the field of biodiversity in forest areas. Collaboration with research institutions Institute of Nature Conservation and Systems Research Institute (Polish Academy of Sciences) and NGO. Agreements with Regional Directorates for Environmental Protection; Inventories. 16

17 Others care for the wolf population The Association for Nature WOLF dr Sabina PIERUŻEK-NOWAK member of the Species Survival Commission IUCN (Wolf Specialists Group IUCN oraz Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe), the National Council for Forest Protection, Polish-German working group on wolves, Council of the State Forests and the Program Panel of the biology faculty at the Faculty for Biology and Environmental Protection of the Silesian University. WWF Joint inventories 17

18 Thank you Dyrekcja Generalna Lasów Państwowych ul. Bitwy Warszawskiej 1920 r. nr Warszawa tel , faks sekretariat@lasy.gov.pl 18