Supplementum 5/2002

Ene Viht & Tiit Randla

The Capercaillie. Status of the Estonian population and its survival prospects.

Abstract

The publication is based on the Estonian national management plan for the Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in 2002-2011.

The Capercaillie is a species whose numbers are decreasing. Its conservation has an international importance. 1200-2000 pairs of Capercaillie breed in Estonia. In winter, the numbers could reach up to 3200-5300 birds (Lõhmus et. al 1998). For 1990-2000, the number of adult females in spring has been estimated at 1300 birds in Estonia. However, the acceptable minimum number could be 1000 and an optimum 1500 adult females. During last thirty years, 30% of the known leks have been abandoned. If this tendency continues, the Capercaillie will become extinct during the 21th century.

The analysis of threat factors shows that habitat loss and degradation have the most important effect. The second important threat is the high number of natural predators. Disturbance by humans and poaching have comparatively low importance.

The current Estonian legislation is not guaranteeing an effective protection of the species. Therefore, it is important to improve (concretise) the legislation. The protection rules for Capercaillie habitat should be included in legislative acts. As a part of the management plan, the sites of permanent occurrence, ten Specially Protected Areas (SPA-s; a part of the Natura 2000 network) and their protection rules have been proposed. Protection rules are based on habitat demands of the Capercaillie, and factors, which may negatively affect its numbers, have been attempted to avoid. The rules should be reported to landowners, and the implementation of the rules has to be ensured by a contract. The state should use force (to establish a reserve) if a land owner or holder does not agree with the terms of the contract. The conservation activities have to be coordinated and implemented by local environmental services. The leks and SPA-s should be fixed in the national register. The management plan will be updated in 2011. In 2005, the status of population will be re-examined.

According to the management plan, the most important activities in 2002-2005 are (1) implementation of the protection rules in private and state forests as well as in the SPA-s, which includes making contracts (in private lands) and sending conservation obligations (in private and state lands); (2) planning of the ten SPA-s; (3) improvement of legislation.