The Case Of The Iberian Lynx (Linx Pardinus) In Spain: An Example Of Extintion Due To Fragmentation

The case of the Iberian lynx (Linx pardinus) in Spain: an example of extintion due to fragmentation













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LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY (LAØ 370)
THE NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF LIFE SCIENCES (UMB)

INDEX
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Introduction......................................................................................................... 3method....................................................................................................................... 3

results ...................................................................................................................... 4
Characteristics of Iberian lynx .................................................................................. 4
Population inSpain ................................................................................................... 6
Problems that affect to iberian lynx ......................................................................... 7

DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................ 8
Fragmentation.......................................................................................................... 8
Protection and conservation measurement ............................................................ 10
Obstacles to Protection .......................................................................................... 11

CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................... 12

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 13
















INTRODUCTION
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Human activities have profoundly affected landscapes, decreasing dramatically the quantity and quality of habitatsavailable to Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) considers the lynx as the world's most endangered feline (International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2009).
To ensure the conservation and population growth of Iberian lynx, a comprehensive conservation planning must be carried out, taking into account entire landscapes. It should protect both thecore areas and corridors through land that allow safe movement of population. Core areas should be high-quality habitats in which the Iberian lynx can find enough food, protection and appropriate possibilities for reproduction (Palomares et al., 2000).

METHOD
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Basically I performed ​​a review of the literature on the Iberian lynx: biology,behavior, habitat, ecology, etc. I started looking for information on Full text of UMB library databases. First agreed to some scientific articles, after reading them, some statements in them caught my attention, so that, through the references, I can access new articles that helped me to shape the folowing text. Should be noted that most of the information found is quite old (most are older than2003), so the current state (in 2011) is unknown to me. A population so fragile and damaged should be continuously monitored and the information should be published to raise public awareness about what is happening.











RESULTS
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Characteristics of Iberian lynx
This mammal belong to the Carnivora order and Felidae family(Ministerio del Medio Ambiente Rural Y Marino, 2003).
Its body size is about the half size if you campare with the size of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) (Delibes et al., 2000). The average weight of Iberian Lynx in the wild is 12.8 kg males and 9.3 kg females. Its average length is about 90 cm (Beltrán and Delibes, 1993). The species have a relatively small head, long legs, and a very short tail...