Understanding human effectson the European wildlife communities
A network of “observation points” capable to monitor wildlife population
at European level
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Main aims of EOW project
Initially, the EOW prioritizes the inclusion of different study areas representing all European countries and bioregions. Further, the design of the observatory will be optimized to provide representative unbiased estimates of population trends.
To generate and provide information and unbiased trends on population abundance for those developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating enviromental policy in europe.
To provide sound, independet guidance on methods and protocols for those involved in implmenting wildlife monitoring, in close collaboration with European Institutions.
To develop a network alive for wildlife monitoring, incorporating different stakeholders, such as regional and national administrations, game, protected areas and research Institutions.
Supporting observation points, providing training and facilitating field design, data processing and analysis.
Focused on mammals but looking to integrate other taxa and ecological variables and integrated monitoring (wildlife diseases).
To improve population abundance estimation protocols, calibrating methods, incorporating information technology and citizen science.
Highlight areas and recommendations for action working, the inequalities existing in wildlife population monitoring over Europe.
EOW MAP Viewer
The term ‘Observatory’ was chosen to stress the purpose of building a the fact that the European Observatory of Wildlife (EOW) pretended role is gaining a general and reliable view on the status and trends of European wildlife populations.
In the mid/long-term the observatory will provide access to a broad collection of harmonized comparable data on wildlife, analyses and forecasting population abundance and distribution patterns.
A network of “observation points” is its essential core, with common population estimation protocols and data collection standards to facilitate harmonization and interoperability.
Integrated monitoring wildlife (population and diseases) requires MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMWORKS, with different managers in the different phases of the process.
Rather than focusing on the mere number of individuals in a population, long-term monitoring programs should provide information on its trends, habitat requirements, the impacts of anthropogenic activities, and the damages that species caused to agriculture and forestry.
APPROACH
The approach of the EOW is...
Progressive
Initially, beyond mere data generation, it is essential to generate networking and harmonize the approach among partners in as many European countries as possible. In the long term, the analyses of population trends will be able to guide proactively investigators and wildlife policy making
Science Based
Integrate
Since different wildlife monitoring frameworks should meet at the different study sites of the observatory to achieve integrated monitoring
Interdisciplinary, multisectorial and institucional
How?
1. Promoting networking applying harmonized wildlife population monitoring
Initial inclusion of different study areas representing all European countries
2. Improvement of the Observatory
Further, the design of the observatory (nº & distributions of study sites) will be optimized to provide representative unbiased estimates of population trends
3. Trend data for wildlife (terrestrial mammals)
Trend data will be openly published and a forum for partners and collaborators will address developing integrated monitoring
4. Integrated Monitoring
Wildlife monitoring integrates different taxa and ecological variables (integrated monitoring) such as wildlife diseases