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IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin Volume 17 Issue 2 Pages 59 - 99 (October 2000) New Books Surveying And Monitoring Distribution And Population Trends Of The Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) Reuther, C., Dolch, D., Green, R., Jahrl, J., Jefferies, D., Krekemeyer, A., Kucerova, M., Madsen, A.B., Romanowski, J., Roche, K., Ruiz-Olmo, J., Teubner, J., Trindade, A. Habitat 12, Hankensbüttel, 148pp. Constant availability of distribution data in a standardised format is an important tool in nature conservation. Species protection and habitat conservation programs are dependent on distribution data, whether on the international, national, or regional levels. This is also true for research programs, interventions against projects causing threats and evaluations of the impact of measures taken or of the efficiency of programs. For those countries belonging to the European Union, there is a legal duty to collect distribution data for species such as the otter. On May 21, 1992 the European Union implemented the 'Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Plants and Animals, Directive 92/43/EEC [1992]', better known as the Fauna, Flora, and Habitat (FFH) Directive. This directive is obligatory in the sense of the contract of the European Union. The regulations enter into force directly if they are not transferred to national law. Sanctions are possible by the European Courts of Justice. In article 11, the directive states that "member states shall undertake surveillance of the conservation status of the natural habitats and species referred to in Article 2". Article 2 declares: "1. The aim of this Directive shall be to contribute
towards ensuring bio-diversity through the conservation of
natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora in the European
territory of the Member States to which the Treaty applies. Species of Community interest are listed in annexes II, IV and V. The Eurasian otter is listed in Annex II and IV. For species listed in these annexes, special protection measures have to be ensured. Beside these general and legal aspects, efficiency is another aspect why distribution data should be made available in an optimal form as possible. Surveys are time and cost consuming and the data they deliver are more than only a scientific data pool. Since personal and financial resources in nature conservation are limited (and always lower than needed) everybody using these resources has a responsibility to ensure that this is done in the most efficient manner. From the international point of view, for instance, a lot of time and money could be saved for specific international surveys if national survey data would be prepared in a comparable and transferable form. The same is true from the national point of view where a standardised processing of regional survey data would considerably reduce efforts and costs to prepare nation-wide overviews. Lastly, the regional level would benefit from the availability of supra-regional data by enabling integration of regional activities into national or international objectives. Finally, it needs to be recognised that, whilst surveys need to be undertaken on a scientific basis, they are more than only science. Surveys are a fundamental part of conservation and of the management of species (and their habitats) since, without survey data, reliable and efficient conservation or management is not possible. Fortunately, otter specialists recognised this point very early. The consequences that have arisen from this, through pioneering methodical work, is the undisputed merit of British otter specialists. Many scientists and conservationists followed their example and, parallel to the increasing number of systematic surveys, knowledge and experience increased, along with the number of questions about methodical standards. This was the reason for the organisation of a workshop entitled 'How to better standardise the 'standard' (IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group) method for otter surveys?' at the 3rd European Congress of Mammalogy 1999 in Jyväskylä (Finland). As a basis for this workshop, all available survey reports from Europe were evaluated. Discussions in the workshop showed that the necessity for a further standardisation of our survey methods is undisputed, especially against the background of a changing European conservation policy. Conservation is becoming more and more an objective with an international scope. Referring to the adage 'Act local and think global', otter surveys need no longer to be seen as a 'local' tool of national conservation policy. They need to be understood as a contribution to the 'global' conservation of the species (in its total range). Another reason why this seems to be the right time to revise the standards of the survey method is the fact that there has been a remarkable change in geodesy and mapping techniques. Introduction of the 'World Geodetic System 84' and its coincident European counterpart 'European Terrestrial Reference 89' (see 7.2.1) has resulted in new geodetic references and a re-drawing of maps. In most European countries, this process has recently been completed or will be finished soon. As a result of the preparation and discussions of the Jyväskylä workshop, this book was written and it was tried to establish the conditions for a standardised database for otter distribution in Europe using modern tools such as Geographic Information Systems. The experience of 13 authors from 8 European countries forms the background of this book. They all have been involved in at least one spacious otter survey, i.e. on the level of a state or of a federal state. Some of them have used and studied otter survey methods for more than 20 years. As said in the foreword, authors are aware that these guidelines for the standard survey method do not represent a final state - and especially not a state of perfection. Compromises were needed to cover scientific demands (and different 'scientific philosophies'!) as well as pragmatic reflections. Various initial positions, such as different levels of distribution or population trends of the otter, the number of surveys already carried out, and of interest in otter conservation in general, had to be considered. Lastly, it became obvious that the wide species range covered by the Eurasian otter, containing as it does such a high variety and extent of habitats used in areas both 'natural' and 'urbanised', does not make it easy to develop guidelines which cover all these circumstances perfectly. Development of survey methods is a dynamic process supported by realisations arising from each further survey carried out. Therefore, the authors hope for the support of all (otter) specialists involved in distribution mapping and biological research to increase efficiency of the methodology in the future. However, it has to be stated that, so far, there is no other
alternative to prepare a reliable base for otter conservation
and, therefore, this report reflects the state of the latest
methodical development. Indeed, when it comes to comparing this
state to the level of survey methods and distribution data
background for many other mammal species, otter conservationists
have no reason to hide their results. The book contains 86 figures and maps, many of them coloured.
It is available from: LOBO DE RÍO This is the Spanish version of the PhD-thesis of Christof Schenck. For further information please contact Christoph Schenck at: WILDLIFE OF LAO PDR: 1999 STATUS REPORT Contact Person: Sulma Warne Cost: The publication costs $30 USD plus postage
and handling: Interested parties should transfer the total cost of the book plus the cost of postage and handling to the following bank account details: IUCN Lao PDR Once the transfer has been made the contact person, Mr. Sulma Warne, should be notified by email or fax. The Report will be sent as soon as notification of payment is received. All interested parties should make sure to provide full postal address details. |
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