Anthropogenic impact on chamois and its relevance for sustainable game management

The Alpine chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) is considered a flagship species of the alpine and montane regions of Europe, which can be quite sensitive to habitat changes. Although the chamois is classified as "not endangered" throughout Europe, some regions have recorded a decline in counted chamois populations or hunting distances in recent decades (especially in the Alpine region). This development is attributed to a combination of various factors, whereby anthropogenic disturbances, high hunting pressure and climate change are defined as major influencing factors. In this project, therefore, the movement patterns of chamois and thus their habitat use will be analyzed using modern GPS collar systems. The use in space and time will be investigated against the background of possible influencing factors (vegetation, climate, human disturbances, etc.). In addition, the transmittered chamois are administered pan probes, which are used to measure the heartbeat and the internal body temperature. This will allow quantification of energy metabolism and thus document physiological consequences of external conditions as well as behavioral adaptations. Based on the results of this project, it will be possible to estimate the influence of climatic effects as well as human activities on the space-time behavior, activity and metabolism of chamois. This will contribute to a sound scientific basis for a sustainable management of this game species in order to counteract a negative trend of chamois populations as well as undesirable game impact on forest vegetation. Such a management should help to preserve the forest, the mountains and the chamois in the long term and at the same time guarantee the utilization demands of man.