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| Eiberle, K. | |
| Lebensweise und Bedeutung des Luchses in der Kulturlandschaft - dargestellt anhand der Ausrottungsgeschichte in der Schweiz | |
| 1972 Mammalia depicta (8): 1-67 | |
On the basis of 466 records of its distribution, the history of presence of the lynx is investigated. The study covers Switzerland and its neighbouring areas during the period 1500 through 1900 and yields the following results: - Four different phases are clearly distinguished. Until the year 1700 the lynx is found all through the country including the Plateau. Between 1750 and 1800 the lynx is wiped out in the Jura mountains, the southern Prealps and in the eastern part of the northern Alps between the Aar river and lake Constance. During the first half of the 19th century, the animal disappears in the western part of the northern Alps between Aar river and Lake Geneva, as well as in large areas of the central Alps. Between 1850 and 1900 the lynx is found only intermittently in the Grison and Valais. - The main motivation for the extinction of the lynx in our country was the fear of its damages on domestic and wild animals. Dairy farming as the original and prevailing land use practice favoured the extinction considerably. - It cannot be proved that the lynx became extinct because of the changing landscape of the increasing human population. The dying out is rather a result of a direct extinction by man. - The lynx reacted very sensitively to intensive hunting, since it propagates quite slowly and is easily trapped in winter before and during the rutting season. - Duration and depth of the snow pack in winter seemed to have influenced presence and propagation of the lynx. This natural site factor was particularly unfavourable in the Gotthard region and more severe in the northern than in the central Alps. - Early isolation of the lynx' population in the Jura mountains caused by rapid development of the human population in the neighbouring areas favoured considerably the extinction in that area. - The clearing of forests in the Alps is not considered a decisive factor for the disappearance of the lynx. Continuous forest destruction however has lowered the quality of its habitat. - The upper limit of human settlements was an important factor controlling the expansion of the habitat available to the lynx. This habitat was reduced in the eastern Alps by improved access on roads, naturally high elevated valleys and the settlements of the Walser at high altitudes. This was less the case in the Valais. - The lynx kept himself distant from human settlements, more than bear and wolf. It has never been dangerous for man. - Ecologically the lynx was modest and extremely adaptable. It managed to live in quite open country and also in relatively densely populated areas. It adapted himself better to live in the high country than bear and wolf. Distribution maps of 4 different periods are presented and a list of the distribution records in chronological order. Also, the literature on early distribution of the lynx is carefully examined. Advantages and disadvantages of a reintroduction are discussed. The author concludes that a reintroduction of the lynx would be advantageous to forestry and hunt and that damages on domestic animals are not expected to reach the proportions of early times. |
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