The stock of the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus PALLAS, 1778) is declining since decades, in Germany as well as in other European countries.At the same time,the occurrence of European brown hares is a new phenomenon in urban areas. Hence,Lichtenberg, a city district of Berlin, the capital of Germany, even assumed a special responsibility for its new inhabitants.
Whereas a method for the quantification of this common game species in agricultural areas already exists, a new quantification method for city habitats is required in order to overcome several limitations.
The aim of this master thesis is to deliver a suitable quantification method for Lepus europaeus, which can be applied by nature conservation authorities in future.
By means of a strong LED torchlight and a bike, 153.74 ha of green area, which is usually scattered between residential buildings, were investigated in the style of the previous “spotlight taxation”. These investigated areas belong to five different tracks. Each track
was investigated three times in the late evening hours in the spring period from 8th of March until the 25th of April 2011. Within this time 37 sightings of hares have been made. Summing up the five maximum values from each of the 3 countings, one could assume that at least 17 hares live within the illuminated area. Considering the territorial behaviour, even a minimum number of 19 hares is probable. If additionally only suitable tracks are taken into account, a density of 16.98 hares/100 ha can be calculated ‒ a
surprisingly high value compared to the results of spotlight counting in surrounding federal states, where the agricultural landscape, and therefore the natural habitat of Lepus europaeus, is more prevalent. However, a direct comparison to the hare densities in
the open landscape, which are obtained by means of different methods is incorrect. Nevertheless, if the proposed aspects for a future implementation will be taken into consideration in the long run, it is a realisable method for the quantification of urban hare populations. Moreover, the interested public can participate on this scientific approach as well. Then, cost reduction and the rising awareness for wild animals in the public are positive side-effects.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The text aims to develop a quantification method for assessing the presence of European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in urban areas.
- Quantification method for European brown hares in urban areas
- Analysis of hare tracks, illumination plots, and positions
- Use of digital orthophotos and geographic information systems (GIS)
- Assessment of hare populations in the Lichtenberg district of Berlin
- Comparison of counting results across different time periods
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The preview does not include summaries of the conclusion, final chapter, or any sections containing major revelations or spoilers.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and focus topics of this work include European brown hares, quantification methods, urban areas, geographic information systems (GIS), track analysis, illumination plots, Lichtenberg district, Berlin, and hare population assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the research on European brown hares in Berlin?
The master thesis aims to develop a suitable quantification method specifically for assessing hare populations in urban city habitats, using the Lichtenberg district of Berlin as an example.
How were the hares counted in the urban environment?
The researcher used a strong LED torchlight and a bike to investigate 153.74 hectares of green area. This method was adapted from the traditional "spotlight taxation" used in agricultural areas.
What was the calculated density of hares in Lichtenberg?
The study calculated a density of 16.98 hares per 100 hectares in suitable tracks, which is surprisingly high compared to some agricultural landscapes.
Why is a new method needed for urban hare populations?
Existing methods are designed for open agricultural landscapes. Urban areas have scattered green spaces and residential buildings, requiring different tools like GIS and digital orthophotos for accurate assessment.
Can the public participate in this scientific approach?
Yes, the proposed method allows for public participation, which can lead to cost reductions and increased public awareness of wild animals in urban settings.
What tools were used to analyze the data?
The study utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS), digital orthophotos, and track analysis to map hare positions and illumination plots.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Regina Schulze (Autor:in), 2011, Development of a quantification method for European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in urban areas on the example of Lichtenberg, Berlin, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/196315
