Demographic characteristics, seasonal range and habitat topography of Balkan chamois population in its southernmost limit of its distribution (Giona mountain, Greece)

• Published in: Journal of natural history Vol. 49; no. 5-8; pp. 327 - 345
• Main Authors: Papaioannou, Haritakis, Sgardelis, Stefanos, Chondropoulos, Basilios, Vassilakis, Dimitrios, Kati, Vassiliki, Dimopoulos, Panayotis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 24.02.2015
• Subjects: altitude; autumn; chamois; conservation; females; global warming; habitat preferences; habitat use; habitats; males; population density; population structure; range; Rupicapra; Rupicapra rupicapra; sociodemographic characteristics; summer; topography; winter; yearlings; Greece
• ISSN: 1464-5262; 0022-2933; 1464-5262
• DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2013.869365

The annual range of Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) in Giona mountain was found to be 5502 ha, with a low population density (2 individuals/100 ha). Seasonal range patterns varied significantly, with a minimum extent in summer and a maximum in winter (30% and 79% of the annual range, respectively). Summer stress and the rutting period might be associated with the observed aggregated distributions during the summer and autumn (core areas of 28% and 22% of seasonal ranges, respectively, defined after the Fixed Kernel Density Estimator). Chamois were found to use significantly lower altitude habitats in winter (1212 m) than in summer (2223 m), and significantly steeper slopes in winter (35°); aspect was not found to have a significant effect on habitat use. Population structure consisted of kids (21%), yearlings (8%), females (35%) and males (36%). Conservation management for the species should consider poaching, livestock competition and global warming.