Förutsättningar för återintroduktion av stora gräsätare i Sverige
Biodiversity is under threat in Sweden and many species are on the brink of extinction. This is mainly due to the large-scale drainage projects during the 19th and 20th century and the increasingly intensive land use in agriculture and forestry. The intensive land use with sharply defined boundaries...
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| Format: | Other/Unknown Material |
| Language: | Swedish English |
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SLU/Dept. of Animal Environment and Health
2011
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| Online Access: | https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/2894/ |
| Summary: | Biodiversity is under threat in Sweden and many species are on the brink of extinction. This is mainly due to the large-scale drainage projects during the 19th and 20th century and the increasingly intensive land use in agriculture and forestry. The intensive land use with sharply defined boundaries between the production units has in many cases led to either overgrazing or overgrowing. As a result many species have been pushed back to "leftover" habitats like shooting ranges, power line corridors, roadsides, dumps, embankments and other similar areas. Therefore the question has been raised, wether or not it is needed to re-introduce large herbivores into the wild in order to maintain the biodiversity that is related to the extensive land use. This study has been conducted as a literature review and will focus on the European bison’s (Bison bonasus) impact on other species and biodiversity; conditions for reintroducing large herbivores in Sweden are also discussed. Free roaming populations of large herbivores have a positive impact on plants, insects and many other groups of organisms. From a societal point of view, there may be conflicts with agriculture and forestry; traffic safety also has to be considered. Therefore fences and wildlife crossings may need to be put up. The long term goal of reintroduction of European bison should be a genetically sustainable metapopulation of approximately 1,000 animals, which requires a minimum surface area of 10 000 km2, which corresponds to 100 * 100 kilometres. From an ecological perspective, it is also important to discuss free roaming populations of wild horses, cattle, woodland reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus), and maybe also sheep and goats as the species with their different niches can contribute to a mosaic of habitats which benefit biodiversity. Suitable areas of reintroduction require further research. In order to achieve maximum benefits, it is desirable to consider solutions where other species are included. Examples of endangered or nationally extinct bird ... |
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