Scope of work:
- Black grouse monitoring
- Monitoring of wolves and lynx
- Monitoring of bat migration routes
- Monitoring of selected plant species
- Monitoring of water-dependent natural habitats
- Monitoring of habitat moisture levels and surface water chemistry
- Guidelines for organizing sports and recreational events
Challenge: Mass events and tourism vs. the protection of key species and natural habitats
The Jakuszyce Glade and the Izera Mountains are not only a well-known winter sports hub but also an area of high natural value and a refuge for rare animal species, including the black grouse – one of the rarest and most endangered birds in Poland.
The Institute for Territorial Development asked us to develop guidelines for organizing events in this area in a way that would not conflict with the protection of its valuable natural resources. Our goal was to determine the population status of the studied animal and plant species and assess the condition of natural habitats. On that basis, we examined the impact of sporting events on the natural environment and developed guidelines for organizing mass events.
Solution: Modern Technologies in the Service of Nature
The Izera Mountains region is varied and difficult to study using traditional methods, so we deployed a set of modern technological solutions:
- Acoustic monitoring of black grouse
We used specialized devices to automatically record black grouse calls – these not only confirmed the birds’ presence but also let us observe differences in their seasonal and diurnal activity and produce an initial assessment of their sensitivity to environmental disturbance.
- Recording of bat calls
Ultrasonic recorders let us monitor bat presence. This method gave us an initial picture of their migration routes – for instance, through the low-lying area of the Jakuszycka Glade. Some bat species are sensitive to light pollution, which can change their behavior, including their flight paths.
- Monitoring of carnivorous mammals using camera traps
We set up a network of camera traps in the field – including to observe wolves. Careful placement of the cameras allowed us to assess the status of the animal population and identify the locations where they are most active. We also carried out additional analyses to establish the cause-and-effect relationships behind the correlations we observed.
- Monitoring of water-dependent natural habitats
We deployed a monitoring setup based on piezometers to monitor water conditions and the state of natural habitats. One key habitat type in the Izera Mountains is peatland. Climate change and human activity (including the historical drainage system) can lead to the drying out and disappearance of these valuable habitats.
Result: sustainable management of the Jakuszycka Glade
Based on the data obtained, we established guidelines for threshold conditions for organizing mass events – including how to run sports and tourism events, and ways to protect areas that are critical for the most valuable elements of the natural environment.
Our guidelines help bring together the growth of tourism and sports with effective nature conservation, and they make it possible to plan events in harmony with the specific phases of the annual cycle of rare species.
What’s next?
The Izera Mountains are one of the last refuges for black grouse in Poland. Therefore:
- it is necessary to continue monitoring the black grouse population in the coming seasons;
- it is essential to involve stakeholders in the final determination of the conditions and possibilities for the further development and operation of mass events in the Izera Mountains region;
- it is necessary to take further steps to strengthen nature conservation in the Izera Mountains.
Conclusions
By combining expert knowledge, modern research methods, and a flexible administrative approach, we believe that the project to monitor natural resources in connection with the activities of the Lower Silesian Sports Centre in Jakuszyce will serve as an example of effective environmental management while simultaneously supporting recreational and sports functions.