Caucasian Black Grouse Conservation in Georgia
Introduction
Project Summary
Data Collation
Ecological and Population Studies
Monitoring Planning
Management Planning
Regional and International Coordination
Public Awareness
Project Progress Reports
Project Partners
Project Donors
E-mail Discussion Group
Introduction
The Caucasian Black Grouse (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi) is classified as a species of global conservation concern that is endemic to the Caucasus region. It is one of the grouse species with the smallest distribution (about 12,000 sq. km) and highly fragmented range. Total population is believed to be from 10,000 to 70,000 individuals. The species distribution covers six countries –Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, south Russia, northwestern Turkey and small part of north Iran. The species is listed in the Red Data Books of all range countries as rare with declining populations, and is included in international listings: Species of European Concern, category 2 with status “Insufficiently Known”; as a Restricted-range Species; and in the 2004 IUCN Red List of Animals as “Data Deficient”. It is also listed as one of the highest priorities for action in the IUCN/WPA Grouse Specialist Group Action Plan. Due to its small range, the difficulty of access to its remote, high mountain habitat, and its relatively small population, it is a poorly studied species.
However, only c. 5-7% of the species’ total range is officially protected (in Georgia just 3-4 %). The major threats to Caucasian Black Grouse are believed to be: 1. Habitat loss and degradation caused by increasing grazing pressure, deforestation, erosion, and development; 2. Predation by shepherd dogs as well as stray dogs are believed to have a negative impact killing adults, chicks and eggs of this species; 3. Illegal hunting that has been particularly increased during last 10-15 years.
In addition, high fragmentation level of habitat of individual populations can be challenging for this species - the connectivity level of West and East Caucasus populations and Greater and Lesser Caucasus populations seems minimal to support population viability. The fragmentation level seems higher in the more urbanized and developed southern part of species range than in the northern part. This can cause local extinctions, particularly where habitat damage is cause by large development projects. These concerns needs further study, and their clarification is essential for effective species conservation management.
Georgia is the country with the central location and largest proportion of Caucasian Black Grouse range - about 50% of the range and 45-55 % of the individuals are believed to be in Georgia. Georgia is also the only country containing both Greater and Lesser Caucasus populations. As in other parts of its range, lack of data is the main problem. In order to conduct effective conservation management, more precise information is required on species distribution and habitat requirements, population ecology and genetics, and potential and actual threats.
The results of such studies are essential to answer the following questions: Which are the key sites to be protected? What management actions have to be taken (e.g. new protected areas established, re-stocking, habitat improvement, law enforcement, birdwatching promotion, etc.)? How should the monitoring be conducted? Where should the public awareness campaigns be focused and what approaches can be used? What else is needed to avoid the species extinction?
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Project Summary
The project goals are to provide the scientific basis for the effective conservation management of the endemic, rare and globally threatened faunal species - Caucasian Black Grouse, and to create capacity to perform such management in Georgia.
The specific objectives of the project are to:
- Collate available data on the species and identify areas for intensive studies;
- Conduct ecological and population studies in identified areas essential for the development of an effective monitoring plan and the feasible management procedures (population biology, spatial distribution, habitat requirements and population genetics);
- Develop a sustainable and effective species monitoring plan, and create the capacity at local and national levels to initiate it;
- Establish conservation goals for the species and produce a management plan based on the research results;
- Promote co-operation with other Caucasian Black Grouse conservation programs in the region and internationally; and
- Increase public awareness about the project activities and goals.
The expected impacts for Caucasian Black Grouse are:
- The main obstacles currently limiting a realistic assessment of the status and conservation needs of Caucasian Black Grouse are removed;
- The existing data are collated, and gaps in knowledge are filled by intensive studies using modern research methods and approaches;
- The status of the Caucasian Black Grouse is re-assessed and its conservation needs are better understood;
- The scientifically sound species monitoring and conservation management plans are developed;
- The capacity at national and local levels is increased to implement long-term monitoring and the key components of the management plan;
- The regional and international cooperation is promoted by establishing a CBG working group to serve as an open forum for discussions, experience and information sharing, regional planning and collaboration;
- The public awareness and support to Caucasian Black Grouse conservation activities in Georgia is significantly raised;
- The sustainability of initiated activities is ensured;
- And finally, the species long-term survival in Georgia is guaranteed.
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Data Collation and Identification of Study Areas
Duration: January-March, 2004
Geographic focus: Georgia
Status: Completed
The available data is collated from published and other sources on species distribution, habitat requirements and other information relevant to its conservation and areas for intensive ecological and population studies are identified in Georgia. The report contains three chapters:
- Chapter one summarizes information on species existing data and status focusing on the following topics: Conservation status and current state of knowledge; Distribution and evolutionary relationships; Main habitats and ecology; Population size and trends;
- Chapter two outlines required information for the species effective conservation management.
- Chapter three describes planned research activities and provides following information for each study component: Applied methods; Sites selection; Needed human resources; Needed equipment; and Expected results.
Document also provides full bibliography of Caucasian Grouse and a map of known sites of species presence in Georgia.
Report - 
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Ecological and Population Studies
Duration: January 2004 - October 2005
Geographic focus: Sites at the Greater and the Lesser Caucasus in Georgia
Status: Ongoing
This activity is divided into three parts:
- Population biology – using radio telemetry in Lagodekhi and Akhaltsikhe districts;
- Current distribution and habitat requirements study using GIS techniques and logistic regression analyses of field observations and factors; and
- Species range fragmentation pattern and connectivity level study using modern molecular genetic methods.
Results of each study component will be available here.
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Monitoring Planning
Duration: May - October, 2005
Geographic focus: Georgia
Status: Not initiated yet
The monitoring plan will be based on three elements: (1) Selection of suitable sites for detailed monitoring; (2) Design of a monitoring protocol that will detect changes in the species and habitats status at these sites; (3) Identification of factors that may affect Caucasian Black Grouse, and development of monitoring needs for these factors. The particular factors to be monitored will be identified during the collation of information at the start of the project and during the targeted surveys. Species monitoring methods will be drawn from best practice used in relevant grouse monitoring program in similar habitats.
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Management Planning
Duration: February - October, 2005
Geographic focus: Georgia
Status: Not initiated yet
Species conservation management planning across the country will review the status of the species, its habitat and other needs and the various conservation measures in place for its conservation. It will then identify its management needs at various levels, such as legislation and policy, site-based needs and public awareness. Proposed model formats are a combination of the species planning undertaken by WPA and its Specialist Groups and published in the IUCN Action Plan series, and the BirdLife International experience in species action planning. Site-based action planning will allow for more detailed conservation needs to be reflected at key sites that have been identified during the targeted surveys.
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Regional and International Coordination
Duration: January 2004 - December 2005
Geographic focus: Caucasus and global
Status: Ongoing
Regional and international cooperation is important to ensure the conservation of Caucasian Black Grouse. The activities are coordinated with similar ongoing or planned projects in other countries of the Caucasus, particularly with ongoing project in Turkey. International working group will be established and its operation will be supported. The experience of BirdLife International in creation and operation of single species working groups will be applied. This web site, in combination of e-group (see below) will promote data and information sharing, discussion panels, and regional planning.
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Public Awareness
Duration: January 2004 - December 2005
Geographic focus – National and local levels in Georgia
Status: Ongoing
The variety of methods is used to publicize the project activities and results:
- Regular mass-media coverage and the press-conferences at key stages of project development;
- Publication and distribution of the monitoring and management plans and other public awareness materials
- Presentations of the project results at national and international conferences.
Mid-term reports are available here -
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Project Status Reports
Quarter 1 -
Quarter 2 -
Quarter 3 -
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Project Partners
Lead organization:
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Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife, GCCW and
Associated members in Lagodekhi, Telavi, Kazbegi and Akhaltsikhe
PO Box 56, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
Tel.: (995-32) 32-64-96, Fax: (995-32) 53-74-78
E-mail: ramaz@gccw.org
Internet: http://www.gccw.org
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Partner Organizations:
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World Pheasant Association, WPA, UK
Including IUCN Grouse Specialist Group
7-9 Shaftesbury Street, Fordingbridge,
Hants, SP6 1JF, UK
Tel.: (44 1425) 65-71-29; Fax: (44 1425) 65-80-53
E-mail: pmcgowan@gct.org.uk
Internet: http://www.pheasant.org.uk
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BirdLife International, European Division Office
Droevendaalsesteeg 3, Alterra Oost, Bld. 100
NL-6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Tel: (31-317) 478-832, Fax: (31-317) 478-844
E-mail: Szabolcs.Nagy@birdlife-europe.nl
Internet: http://www.birdlife.org
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Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and
Laboratory for Ecological and Conservation Genetics (LECG)
University of Idaho
PO Box 441136, Moscow, ID 83844-1136, USA
Tel.: (1-208) 885-64-34, Fax: (1-208) 885-90-80
E-mail: kreese@uidaho.edu
Internet: http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/fishwild
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Project Donors
The Caucasian Black Grouse Research, Monitoring and Conservation Management project in Georgia is part of the Environmental Investment Program (EIP) that is initiated and funded by BP and its partner companies in Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil export pipeline and South Caucasus (SCP) gas pipeline projects.
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E-mail discussion group
The e-mail discussion group is in the process of revising and will be again available soon.
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