European Bison (Bison Bonasus)
European Bison (Bison Bonasus)

Author: Zdzsław Pucek

Publisher: Council of Europe

Published: 2004-01-01

Total Pages: 88

ISBN-13: 9789287155498

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The European bison, the largest herbivore in Europe, was once widely distributed throughout western, central and south-eastern Europe. But by the end of the 19th century there were only two populations left in the the wild, this drastic decline caused by competition for food from deer, cattle grazing in forests, wars and heavy poaching. By 1945 there were only 54 animals with proven pedigrees in zoos, descended from 12 ancestor animals (of which a mere two are dominant genetically). Moves to restore the wild population began in the 1920s, and the restitution has successfully maintained the breed's purity. In 2000, there were nearly 2900 bison registered by the European Bison Pedigree Book, existing in 191 enclosed and 31 free-roaming herds. Despite this success, there remain concerns over the loss of genetic variability - the inbreeding affects life span, viability of young animals, and the interval between calving and skeletal growth - and the presence of, and susceptibility to, several diseases, including foot-and-mouth and TB. Management of the habitat and local populations of bison is necessary to maintain the optimum bison habitat. It remains an endangered species, and its full recovery and re-naturalisation in the wild cannot be guaranteed.

Texts Adopted by the Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern, 19 September 1979)
Texts Adopted by the Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern, 19 September 1979)

Author: Council of Europe. Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

Publisher: Council of Europe

Published: 2005-01-01

Total Pages: 124

ISBN-13: 9789287157362

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The Council of Europe's Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, or "Bern Convention", came into force on 1 June 1982. The aim of the Bern Convention is to conserve biodiversity through a regional pan-European framework extended to include the Mediterranean regions and Africa. This document contains the texts adopted between 2001 and 2004 by the Standing Committee, a body composed of representatives of the Contracting Parties, whose meetings are attended also by observers. The Standing Committee is responsible for following the application of the Convention and can make recommendations to the Contracting Parties concerning measures to be taken for its implementation.

Conserving Plant Genetic Diversity in Protected Areas
Conserving Plant Genetic Diversity in Protected Areas

Author: José María Iriondo

Publisher: CABI

Published: 2008-01-01

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13: 184593282X

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This book comprises 7 chapters discussing the genetic diversity conservation in protected areas and the management of wild relatives. Some topics covered were: genetic reserve management, location and design; plant population monitoring methods for in situ conservation of wild relatives; habitat recovery; and ex situ measures.

European Bison
European Bison

Author: Małgorzata Krasińska

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-06-19

Total Pages: 380

ISBN-13: 3642365558

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The mighty and majestic European bison is the relictual embodiment of the wildness of prehistoric Europe. Tragically, the millennia since that time have seen so many species driven to extinction by human impacts, and the European bison has only narrowly avoided the same fate. Today, the species represents the symbolic sentinel of successful conservation actions in a world in which such achievements remain few and far between. From an early stage in the restitution of the European bison, husband-and-wife team Małgorzata Krasińska and Zbigniew A. Krasiński have been participating in relevant management initiatives and researching all facets of the bison, from its morphology and diet, to its movements, social life and reproduction, and the conservation management actions that have been taken to save it. Now they have summarised this wealth of knowledge on the species, giving rise to a publication ideal for students, professional biologists and conservationists, but also for all nature enthusiasts. This new edition of the monograph offers extensively updated content taking into account research carried out on the European bison in the last few years. Also featured, a new chapter devoted to knowledge of the genetics of the species drawn up by Małgorzata Tokarska of the Białowieża-based Mammal Research Institute PAS.

European Bison
European Bison

Author: Zdzisław Pucek

Publisher: World Conservation Union

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 54

ISBN-13: 9782831707624

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This review of the European bison’s (Bison bonasus) status clearly indicates that, through proper management and conservation, its present numbers and distribution have improved significantly since its extinction in the wild at the beginning of the 20th century. The Action Plan briefly summarizes the history of extinction in the wild and present status of the European bison, as well as the reasons of extinction. The ecology of the species has been reviewed and threats, including recent diseases, are described. The Action Plan also puts forward future goals in conservation and management of European bison. These include recommendations for captive breeding and reintroduction to natural ecosystems, and the propagation of captive animals with known pedigrees for the preservation of the species and to maintain its genetic purity.

Wildlife in a Changing World
Wildlife in a Changing World

Author: Jean-Christophe Vié

Publisher: IUCN

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 184

ISBN-13: 2831710634

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"Wildlife in a Changing World" presents an analysis of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Beginning with an explanation of the IUCN Red List as a key conservation tool, it goes on to discuss the state of the world s species and provides the latest information on the patterns of species facing extinction in some of the most important ecosystems in the world, highlighting the reasons behind their declining status. Areas of focus in the report include: freshwater biodiversity, the status of the world s marine species, species susceptibility to climate change impacts, the Mediterranean biodiversity hot spot, and broadening the coverage of biodiversity assessments."

1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals
1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals

Author: Ulf Gärdenfors

Publisher: IUCN

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 452

ISBN-13: 9782831703350

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The 1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals was a major advance on its predecessors in clarity of layout and amount of information presented. This is taken further in the 1996 edition, which is also the first global compilation to use the complete new IUCN Red List category system.

Rewilding European Landscapes
Rewilding European Landscapes

Author: Henrique M. Pereira

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-05-04

Total Pages: 239

ISBN-13: 3319120395

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Some European lands have been progressively alleviated of human pressures, particularly traditional agriculture in remote areas. This book proposes that this land abandonment can be seen as an opportunity to restore natural ecosystems via rewilding. We define rewilding as the passive management of ecological successions having in mind the long-term goal of restoring natural ecosystem processes. The book aims at introducing the concept of rewilding to scientists, students and practitioners. The first part presents the theory of rewilding in the European context. The second part of the book directly addresses the link between rewilding, biodiversity, and habitats. The third and last part is dedicated to practical aspects of the implementation of rewilding as a land management option. We believe that this book will both set the basis for future research on rewilding and help practitioners think about how rewilding can take place in areas under their management.