Assessing the functional connectivity of the wildlife corridors is an essential part part of the SaveGREEN programme and relies on a variety of monitoring activities.
Following the GIS-based modeling of the important zones for connectivity, Zarand Association in collaboration with experts in different species groups (plants, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals) has drafted the monitoring plan for the Arad-Deva pilot area.
Since fall 2021, the field experts of Zarand Association are monitoring mammal species in relationship with natural and artificial features and with anthropogenic impacts, aiming to understand the functionality of the corridors within several Natura 2000 sites (Defileul Muresului, Podisul Lipovei-Poiana Rusca, Zarandul de Est, Metaliferi Mountains).
The monitoring of mammal species with camera-traps is showing interesting results already: the range of species using the critical passageways, the frequency of usage whenever particular individuals have been identified and the behavior of the individuals while crossing.
Example of photo-trap camera captures from the Arad-Deva pilot area ©AZ
The monitoring results, in combination with information shared by local stakeholders, will generate a coherent database as a critical tool for facilitating decision making and will support the local cross-sectoral action plan at landscape level.
Find out more about how we work in this pilot area by consulting the previous article.
LINK WEBSITE: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/savegreen
Autor:
Radu Mot, Zarand Association
