Summer habitat use of the Alpine snow chicken (Lagopus mutus helveticus) at Zinödl (National Park Gesäuse)

Diploma thesis at the Karl-Franzens-University Graz In the Gesäuse National Park, stock surveys of the Alpine snow chicken were carried out at the Zinödl in mid-June 2006. An ecological density of 9.1 taps/km was recorded on an area of 1.32 km. From the beginning of September to mid-October 2005 and from June to July 2006, grid mapping was carried out using 100 x 100 m grid squares. The discovery rate of indirect evidence in a total of 132 grid squares was 81.06 %. Statistically documented correlations were detected with the Kruskal and Valais test and the Spearman ranking correlation analysis between the solution found in a grid square and the proportion of dwarf shrubs/Polsterrasen, the proportion of woods, sea level and vegetation height. Logistical regression showed a dependency on the variable solution finding with the parameters of Earth, proportion of dwarf shrubs/Polsterrasen, share of rock, sea height and vegetation height. From the vegetation composition collected from aerial images, the ranking correlation according to Spearman and the Kruskal and Valais test showed a correlation between the solution found and the proportion of grass/grain, proportion of bushes/shrubs (needle forest), proportion of rubble/göll medium and the proportion of rock/stone wall in a grid square. The logistical regression resulted in only one dependency from the proportion of turf/grass. No link could be found regarding exposure and slope inclination. The available results are based on the terrain conditions. Based on the results available, a habitat model was developed to evaluate the summer habitat use of the Alpine snow chicken. The model appears, both in the calculation with the variable dwarf shrubs/Polsterrasen and with the variable turf/pasture collected in the GIS, to give very good representation of the suitability of the study area. In both cases, the area was almost entirely classified as a habitat very suitable for the Alpine snow chicken. With regard to summer and winter tourism, no disturbances affecting the habitat use of the Alpine snow chicken could be identified. Due to the location of the solution finds and the previous hiking trails and ski routes, there was therefore no need to take any measures to guide visitors. However, monitoring of possible disturbing factors affecting the snow chicken population over the next few years is essential. This is the only way to put in place targeted management measures in a timely manner in case of negative effects, which enable natural gentle tourism and thus ensure long-term conservation and habitat conservation of wild species in the mountainous countryside.本研究为格拉茨卡尔-弗朗茨大学（Karl-Franzens-University Graz）学位论文。2006年6月中旬，于格萨乌斯国家公园（Gesäuse National Park）的齐内德尔（Zinödl）区域开展阿尔卑斯雪鸡（Alpine snow chicken）种群调查。在1.32 km的调查区域内记录到的生态密度为9.1 taps/km。2005年9月初至10月中旬，以及2006年6月至7月期间，研究人员采用100×100米网格样方开展网格制图调查。总计132个网格样方内的间接证据发现率为81.06%。研究通过克鲁斯卡尔-瓦利斯检验（Kruskal and Valais test）与斯皮尔曼等级相关分析（Spearman ranking correlation analysis），检测得到网格样方内的痕迹发现量与矮灌木/垫状植被（Polsterrasen）占比、林地占比、海拔高度、植被高度之间存在统计学关联。逻辑回归（logistical regression）分析显示，痕迹发现量与地表参数、矮灌木/垫状植被占比、岩石占比、海拔高度、植被高度变量存在相关性。 基于航空影像获取的植被组成数据，斯皮尔曼等级相关分析与克鲁斯卡尔-瓦利斯检验显示，网格样方内的痕迹发现量与草本/禾本科植物占比、灌丛/针叶林占比、碎石/göll介质占比以及岩石/石墙占比存在相关性。逻辑回归分析仅显示其与草本层/草坪占比存在相关性。未发现坡向与坡度倾斜度对痕迹发现量存在显著关联。本次所得结果均基于实地地形条件得出。基于现有研究结果，本研究构建了用于评估阿尔卑斯雪鸡夏季生境利用情况的生境适宜性模型。分别采用地理信息系统（GIS）获取的矮灌木/垫状植被变量与草本/牧场变量开展计算时，该模型均能较好地反映研究区域的生境适宜性。两种计算方式下，研究区域几乎均被归类为阿尔卑斯雪鸡的极适宜生境。 针对夏季与冬季旅游活动，未发现其对阿尔卑斯雪鸡的生境利用产生干扰。结合痕迹发现点位与现有徒步步道、滑雪道的分布情况，当前无需采取游客引导管控措施。但在未来数年中，对可能影响阿尔卑斯雪鸡种群的干扰因素开展监测仍至关重要。唯有通过此类监测，方可在出现负面影响时及时制定针对性管理方案，在保障自然友好型旅游发展的同时，长期保护山地乡村的野生物种及其生境。