Edge effect and influence of economic growth on Eurasian lynx mortality in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland

摘要: Eurasian lynx is one of most widely distributed felid species. However, populations in central Europe are strongly fragmented and limited to forest areas, which may influence their sustainability and gene flow. We studied the edge effect on mortality of a highly isolated population of Eurasian lynx in the Białowieża Primeval Forest (NE Poland) during the 20-year period (1991–2011) of high economic development in Poland. Based on radio-tracking data collected in 1991–1996 (low gross national income per capita; low GNI PC) and 2004–2011 (high GNI PC) and recorded mortality cases, we analysed annual rates and causes of mortality and spatial distribution of death sites relative to the distance from the forest edge. We found significantly higher mortality of lynx during the low GNI PC phase of the economic growth than during high GNI PC (33 and 16 %, respectively). While anthropogenic factors played a …