Seville, (EFE).- The Iberian lynx population is not yet viable in the long term and 1,100 reproductive females are needed to guarantee the genetic viability of the species, triple the 2022 census, according to a study by the Doñana Biological Station of the CSIC.
The study determines that to achieve this objective, at least eight new subpopulations would also be needed. And favor connectivity between them, as reported by the CSIC in a statement. In which it is highlighted that the work has been published in Animal Conservation.
This study has evaluated the necessary conditions for the Iberian lynx population to be genetically viable in the long term. And it is determined that it would depend on the increase in the number and size of its subpopulations, as well as the increase in the existing connectivity between them.
More than 1,600 copies
Thanks to conservation programs, the Iberian lynx population has shown a positive trend in the last decade. With a last census estimated at 1,668 animals in the wild compared to less than 100 that remained in 2002.
Currently, in addition to facing numerous threats, such as being run over, the decline of the rabbit, habitat fragmentation or climate change, there is another aspect that puts its recovery at risk: the genetic factor.
“The recovery of a species does not only depend on the absolute numbers of its population. But also a minimum genetic variability to guarantee their survival. At its most critical moment, there were barely two isolated lynx subpopulations in Doñana and Cazorla”, explains the CSIC researcher at the EBD José Godoy.
“Today there are five and within the Life project “Lynxconnect” work is being done on new reintroductions in Sierra Arana and Lorca. But this is still not enough”, adds the scientist.
new overpopulations
The results of the study indicated that the long-term genetic viability of the Iberian lynx would require, at least, an increase in the size of the subpopulations of between 50% and 200%. Which would mean reaching at least 1,100 reproductive females, from the 326 registered in the 2022 census, and the creation of eight new subpopulations.
However, neither of these two objectives would be easy to achieve in the medium term due to the enormous cost involved in creating new subpopulations. And the scarcity of suitable areas with a sufficient density of rabbits, their main prey, explains the CSIC.
However, the Iberian lynx is currently spreading into some habitats that were not originally considered optimal for it. Therefore, new possibilities could open up that would have to be studied.
Another of the necessary requirements would be related to the level of migration. Since the subpopulations should be sufficiently connected to favor genetic exchange between them. Thus, the exchange of between 8 and 15 individuals per generation between neighboring subpopulations should be achieved.
Ensure genetic viability
Bobcats that are part of reintroduction programs have shown a great ability to migrate, to the point that they have traveled distances of even hundreds of kilometers and, in some cases, have successfully established themselves in other subpopulations.
“Despite this, new actions will be necessary to improve connectivity, which are already planned in the Life ‘Lynxconnect’ project,” says Godoy, who highlights the creation of ecological corridors or the establishment of intermediate subpopulations with few reproductive pairs that function as guides to attract dispersing individuals and thus direct them towards the next subpopulation.
This study suggests that to ensure the long-term genetic viability of the species, it is critical to expand existing subpopulations, create new populations in areas that show high growth potential, even if they are less well connected, and avoid directing resources to the creation of many small populations, with no prospect of connection with others. EFE