RECREATION AND BLACK GROUSE IN THE GIANT MOUNTAINS - WITH LOVE FOR NATURE TO THE EXTINCTION OF THE ICONIC SPECIES

Abstract

The paper presents a study on the evaluation of a potentially suitable habitat for Black Grouse in the Giant Mountains. The modelling of suitable habitat using the traditional MAXENT method was extended by a detailed assessment of the impact of intensive recreation on the level of fragmentation of suitable habitat. The results showed that the degree of isolation of individual populations due to intensive recreational impact within the area leads to gradual extinction of particular subpopulations. Therefore, a much stricter form of visitor regulation in the region is urgently needed to save these populations from extincion.