Capercaillie Emergency Plan 2025 - 2030 - Flipbook - Page 40
7. Reinforcement feasibility
Reinforcement feasibility
A study by RZSS commissioned by the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project to
identify the genetic diversity of the UK capercaillie population recommends that
reinforcing the Scottish capercaillie population with birds from Europe would
benefit the species by increasing genetic diversity in the Scottish population,
providing more resilience to future challenges.
The study identified that samples from capercaillie DNA collected in
contemporary Scotland show genetic similarity to samples from Scandinavia
and central Europe, termed Òthe Northern lineageÓ. Within the Northern lineage,
Scotland has the lowest genetic diversity: lower than Austria, Germany, Norway,
Poland and Sweden.
The dataset for the study of over 600 samples, identifies that there is some
variation in genetic diversity across the Scottish locations sampled with
Abernethy, Anagach Woods and Kinveachy having the highest genetic diversity
and Glenmore, Inshriach and Deeside with the lowest. As well as recommending
reinforcement of the Scottish capercaillie population, the study also advises that
the rare DNA and higher genetic diversity found in Abernethy is safeguarded by
performing exchanges with other capercaillie populations.
Developing proposals for reinforcement and translocations requires time and
careful evaluation of risks and benefits. Considerations include the availability
and suitability of reinforcement and translocation methods, whether other
threats or constraints at release sites have been sufficiently mitigated to justify
reinforcement, and decisions around reinforcing existing sites or establishing
new populations in areas without capercaillie.
Even if reinforcement is not currently feasible, a feasibility study can outline the
criteria that must be met for it to be considered in the future. The study may
also identify knowledge gaps that need to be addressed, such as developing an
understanding of the impact of disturbance on productivity, the risk of disease,
or the impact of climate and weather on capercaillie populations.
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