©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group Volume 28A Proceedings Xth International Otter Colloquium, Hwacheon, South Korea Variability of visitation rates of otters (Lutra lutra) on fishponds in the Czech Republic Zuzana Kadlečiková1,3, Katerina Polednikova2,3, Lukáš Polednik2 and Andreas Kranz2
1Dept. of Biological Disciplines, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Studentská 13, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic |
Abstract: In fishpond areas of Central Europe, where otter density is high and fishes in ponds have high economic value, intense conflict between conservationists and fishermen is common. Thus, it is important to correctly quantify the impact of otter predation on fish stocks in fishponds. The extent of damage depends on the diet of otters and also on the intensity of visitation by otters to particular ponds. Therefore, the intensity and variation of visitation rates at various ponds was monitored during different seasons in the south-western part of the Czech-Moravian Highlands in the Czech Republic (Central Europe). The visitation rate estimation was based on repetitive monitoring of old and fresh spraints at ponds. Selected ponds were checked once a week and the presence (or absence) of fresh spraints and old spraints for each pond was recorded. The visitation rate of otters to a particular pond was then calculated using the maximum likelihood approach. In 2003 and 2004, 40 ponds were surveyed for spraints during the “vegetation period” (May to October) and 20 ponds were surveyed for spraints during the “resting period” (November to March). Twenty-two different ponds were surveyed during the resting period of 2006/2007. The estimated visitation rate of otters to ponds ranged from 0% to 56% of days in the vegetation period with an average of 20.3%, and from 0% to 74% in the resting period with an average of 17.3%. |
Keywords: wildlife conflict; habitat use; damage; fishponds; Eurasian otter; visitation rate |
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INTRODUCTION
The Red Data Book of DPRK says that the otter belongs to the category of vulnerable species (VU) and suffers from a serious decrease in its numbers recently, although it was widely distributed in the middle and upper parts of rivers all over the country in the past. Therefore, the protection of the otter and its habitat is one of the important issues for species diversity conservation.
DISTRIBUTION
Our country has many rivers and streams with a high density of 0.4-0.6km/km2.
There are about 6590 rivers and streams longer than 5km in the whole of the Korean Peninsula.
At present, otters are found on the Chungman, Jasong, Chongchon, Taedong, Ryesong, Rimjin, Pukhan, Chongjin-Susong, Tuman, Kilju-Namdae, Songchon, Kumya and Tokji Rivers.
Otters are also confirmed to be inhabiting Jangjin and Pujon Lakes and the Munchon Reservoir (see Figure 1 ).
Figure 1. Water bodies inhabited by otters. Click for larger image |
The 2002-Survey in Kangwon Province showed that otters were distributed in several areas of the upper parts of the Rimjin and Pukhan Rivers.
Otter distribution in Rimjin River covers 9 villages in Pobdong County, including Ryungdong, Ryongpo, Majon, Tochan, Ryongjo, Paekil, Eryu, Kumgu and Rotan, centering on 3 places: Hwangso between Tochan ri and Ryongjo ri, Ryongbawiso between Eryu ri and Rochan ri, and Haekgolkaetang in Paeil ri.
Otters are also found in Kudang ri of Pangyo County, Songbuk ri of Ichon County and the Komitan branch of the Rimjin River.
The distribution in the upper part of Pukhan River covers:
Figure 2. Distribution of otters in Kangwon Province. Click for larger image |
The above findings in Kangwon Province suggest an increase in otter distribution during the countrywide surveys on each water system.
However, the survey in Kangwon Province also showed a limited amount of habitat fulfilling the otter’s ecological demand and small and fragmented populations, despite the large number of inhabited sites.
There are more than 15 otters in the upper water system of Rimjin River and 20-30 in the upper part of Pukhan River, with a total of between 50 and 35-45 estimated otters in the Kangwon area, based on observations on the Pobdong Reserve and the opinion of the residents in each country etc.
The earlier survey conducted in 1992-1993 reported about 10 otters in Pobdong Reserve, 20 in Tokchon, Sinyang and Yangdok areas in the upper part of Taedong River, 10 in Sudong, Yodok and Jongpyong areas, 6 in the upper Songchong River, 4 in the upper Kumya River and 5 in the middle stretches of Chongchon River (in the Mt. Myohyang area), showing the same tendency as the present survey in Kangwon Province in several respects including the small size and fragmented nature of the population and the difficulty of contact between them.
ECOLOGY
In general, otter habitat in the Kangwon area were located in sites which included deep swamps in a bend of a river with lots of big rocks along the banks, providing denning sites, plenty of water, and in particular, dense vegetation cover allowing the animals to hide quickly and easily at any time.
The habitat used on Mt. Myohyang had the same environmental conditions.
No signs of otter were found in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms and open basins.
The feeding places of the otters were situated on large rocks, in cracks in cliffs or on very coarse gravels, where scat was found. Scat analysis showed the diet included fish, crustaceans, insects, shellfishes and in particular crayfish.
We observed that on Mt Myohyang, otters left their dens from 30 minutes to an hour after sunset, excreted and then began hunting, causing great damage to a nearby fishpond.
In Ryuldong ri in Pobdong County, a young otter was seen vocalising on a rock at about 11 am on a cloudy and rainy day.
In reservoirs, otters were mainly seen in areas of rapids.
PROTECTION
Three living monument reserves are established as follows;
The protection of living monuments for otters requires the enhancement of the role of keepers and organizational work of the Bureau for Conservation of Cultural Relics.
Among the higher animals in our country, there are only 2 species with the letter “Dal” in their Korean names: the otter (Lutra lutra) and the yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula). These species have been well known as furbearers from ancient times. In particular, many legends have been told of the otter.
In order to improve and strengthen the conservation of the otter, it is necessary to conduct regular nationwide surveys of its distribution, thus guiding measures for in-situ conservation of otters in its most populous areas as well as in the current living monument reserves.
At present, the major threats to otter are overhunting of the species itself (generally poaching), consequent instability of population, destruction of habitat and in particular habitat and population fragmentation.
Otters have a close relationship with the water system and so it is very important to conserve biodiversity in inland water ecosystems.
Our country has a great average annual precipitation resource, exceeding 1000mm/year, but its distribution shows great differences in regions and seasons. The distribution centers on the upper parts of Chongchon, Taedong, Rimjin and Puhan Rivers, which frequently receive heavy rain and therefore have great quantity of water compared to other water systems.
From the meteorological data, the summer wind direction in our country is mainly SW and SE, and precipitation centers are located in areas where the slope of mountain range faces those air currents. In particular, the heaviest rain is found in trumpet-shaped valleys surrounded by high mountain range on 3 sides and opened towards the wind direction.
On the east coast, a high, steep mountain range runs nearly parallel to the, and experiences heavy rainfalls caused by forced airflow up slopes facing north-est andsouth-east winds.
In South Hamgyong Province, the heavy rain centers on the Yodok and Kumya areas, and this coincides with otter distribution.
Therefore, in order to solve two issues, namely provision of sufficient water in otter habitat, and to reduce derangement of river ecosystems by heavy rain, it is necessary
The conservation of otter requires following actions:
REFERENCES
Won Hong Gu (1968). Book of Higher Animals in Korea, Publishing House of Academy of Sciences
Jin Yong Muk and Ri Sang Ryul (1978). Nature Reserves in our Country, Agricultural Publishing House, 207
Ri Jun Bom et al (1989). Encyclopedia of Korean Topography (Zoological One), Educational Publishing House, 381
Kim Kye Jin (1987). Zoogeographical Study on the Land Mammalians in our Country, 114
Pak U Il (1999). Diversity of Bio-species in our Country, Scientific Encyclopedia Publishing House, 207
Pak U Il and Kim Man Sob et al (2002), Threatened and Rare Species in our Country, MAB National Committee
Pak U Il and Hwang Song Rin et al (2003). Biodiversity of Mt. Kumgang, MAB National Committee, 309
Pak U Il et al (2005). Nature Reserves in our Country, MAB National Committee, 155
Résumé: Variabilité des Visites de la Loutre (Lutra lutra) sur les Étangs de Production Piscicole en République Tchèque
Dans les zones d’étangs piscicoles du centre de l'Europe, où la densité de loutres est élevée et où les poissons ont une valeur économique importante, d’intenses conflits entre écologistes et pêcheurs existent. Ainsi, il est important de quantifier correctement l'impact de la prédation sur les stocks de poissons par la Loutre. L'ampleur des dégâts dépend de l'alimentation de la Loutre mais aussi de l'intensité des visites sur certains étangs. Par conséquent, l'intensité et la variation des taux de visite sur différents bassins ont été suivis à différentes saisons dans le sud-ouest des Highlands « tchéco-moraves » en République tchèque (Europe centrale). L'estimation des taux de fréquentation a été basé sur la surveillance répétée des déjections sur les étangs. Les étangs sélectionnés ont été vérifiés une fois par semaine et la présence (ou l'absence) de déjections fraîches ou anciennes pour chaque étang a été enregistré. Le taux de fréquentation sur un étang particulier a ensuite été calculé en utilisant l'approche du « maximum de similarités ». En 2003 et 2004, 40 bassins ont été surveillés pendant la "période de végétation" (Mai à Octobre) et 20 étangs pendant la "période de repos" (Novembre à Mars). Vingt-deux étangs ont en plus été suivis au cours de la période de repos de 2006/2007. Le taux de fréquentation estimé des loutres sur les étangs variait de 0 à 56% des journées durant la période de végétation avec une moyenne de 20,3%, et de 0 à 74% durant la période de repos avec une moyenne de 17,3%.
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