Grenzüberschreitender Biotopverbund für Raufußhühner in der Euregio Egrensis

Raufußhühner

From 04/2004 to 03/2007

Staff: August Spitznagel

Grouse species are ecologically demanding and highly endangered character species in open mountain forests with springs, forest brooks and mooreland close to naturalness. Their survival in Upper Franconia is jeopardized due to intensified forestry.

Within an INTERREG-III-project, co-financed by the EU we we plan and implement a binational network of habitats for Capercaillie, Black grouse and Hazelgrouse together with Czech partners. Springs, forest brooks and moors are renaturalized, isolated blocks of old-growth woodland get connected by habitat corridors and stepping stones. We census and monitor these three grouse species using established field methods as well a genetic lab-tools like fingerprinting.