Greater Capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo) Case Study
Home > Biodiversity Nature & People > Conservation Philanthropy > Grants > MBZF Grant 192521247
Continent: Europe
Country: Sweden
Grant Amount: $7,500
Awarded Date: November 01, 2019
Emma Nygren
Nordens Ark
Åby Säteri
Hunnebostrand
Västra Götaland
45693
Sweden
Tel: +46702406564
Mob: +46702406564
The use of conservation detection dogs to survey the critical endangered greater Capricorn beetle
The use of conservation detection dogs to survey the critical endangered greater Capricorn beetle. There is only one remaining Swedish population of the species. To save the species a reintroduction programme was developed. Monitoring of the reintroduction to assess the success is crucial in the future management of the species in Sweden. This project will develop an effective monitoring method for the greater Capricorn beetle.
Nordens Ark is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the conservation of endangered species. Our mission is to promote and conserve biodiversity and ensure viable populations of endangered species in their natural habitats. The greater Capricorn beetle is listed as critically endangered (CR) on the Swedish red list. At present there is only one remaining Swedish population of the species which is in the nature reserve of Halltorp on the island of Öland. In average there are only around 6-8 oaks with 20-30 fresh exit holes from the greater Capricorn beetle per year. The greater Capricorn beetle is classified as a keystone species and by protecting and restoring its habitat we also secure a future for many other species. Nordens Ark is working with the County Administrative Board of Kalmar and Blekinge to reintroduce the greater Capricorn beetle in restored and protected areas. A breeding programme has been developed at Nordens Ark and a lab population now exist founded by individuals from the population in Halltorps hage. Reintroduction started in 2018 on two sites on the Swedish mainland and in the next 10 years reintroduction will take place in four suitable sites in southeast Sweden.In Sweden the larval development of the species last for five years. The species is primarily monitored by surveying exit holes. Due to the long larval development we intend to develop a dog detection monitoring technique for the greater Capricorn beetle. This will greatly facilitate the detection and identification of colonised trees in a non-invasive way and assist in the mapping of the distribution of colonised trees at the reintroduction sites.
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