EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MONITORING METHODS IN THE ASPECT OF THE POPULATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE BROWN BEAR (URSUS ARCTOS)

Abstract

Population monitoring is a key element in research in the field of animal ecology and nature conservation. Proper coordination of the monitoring program is necessary, especially in the case of species which are difficult to observe due to their biology and ecology, such as the brown bear ( Ursus arctos ). This paper discusses several monitoring methods, such as surveys, counting females with cubs, monitoring of dens, tagging and telemetry of individuals, use of camera traps, monitoring of damages caused by bears, mortality monitoring and genetic testing. The combination of several methods, depending on the geographic and economic conditions of the country, allows for their appropriate selection, so that the results obtained are as accurate as possible. In case of the brown bear, monitoring of the population should employ different, complementary methods