Browse > Article

Release Strategy for the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Restoration Project in Korea Based on Population Viability Analysis  

Lee, Hwa-Jin (Species Restoration Technology Institute, Korea National Park Service)
Lee, Bae-Keun (Species Restoration Technology Institute, Korea National Park Service)
Kwon, Gu-Hui (Species Restoration Technology Institute, Korea National Park Service)
Chung, Chul-Un (Species Restoration Technology Institute, Korea National Park Service)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology / v.27, no.4, 2013 , pp. 417-428 More about this Journal
Abstract
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes), listed as a Class I endangered species by the Ministry of Environment of Korea, has been considered to be extinct in South Korea since the 1980s, and an intensive restoration project has been underway in Sobaeksan national park. This study was carried out to develop a suitable model for the red fox reintroduction program based on Population viability analysis (PVA) by using the VORTEX program. If 10 animals (5 females and 5 males) were continuously released into the initial zero population every year for 10 years, population growth rate and extinction probability over the next 50 years after the introduction of the population were $0.018{\pm}0.204$ and 0.354, respectively; the maximum population size was 116.34 at the 16th year after the first release, and a reduction rate of 1.22 every year from the 17th year was inferred. We found that additional releases would be needed from the 17th year after the initial release to maintain a positive growth rate and to prevent the extinction of the released red foxes, and releasing more than 12 individuals every year would be needed for the long-term, continuous existence of red foxes. By contrast, if fewer than 6 red fox individuals were released the extinction probability over the next 50 years was more than 80%. To maintain the minimum population growth rate, the release of more than 8 individuals were needed for positive population growth. The population growth rate was more stable when 10 animals in the change of their sex rate every year from the set value were released as the female-to- male sex ratio of 6:4 rather than 1:1. However, if the female-biased sex ratio was increased by more than 7:3, a negative population growth was expected. The occurrence rate of roadkill and poaching are important factors in the red fox restoration project. The extinction probability was decreased to 30% if each factor was decreased to 3% based on the standard baseline; however, if each factor was increased to more than 3%, an extinction rate of about 90% was reached over the next 50 years.
Keywords
ENDANGERED SPECIES; PVA; REINTRODUCTION PROGRAM; VORTEX;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 Shin, N.S.(2009) Development of Reintroduction and Reproduction Strategies for Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) to Korean ecosystem. Ministry of Environment, Korea, pp. 14-271. (in Korean)
2 Takeuchi, M. and M. Koganezawa(1994) Age distribution, sex ratio and mortality of the red fox Vulpes vulpes in Tochigi, central Japan: an estimation using a museum collection. Res. Pop. Ecol. 36: 37-43.   DOI
3 Snow, N.P., W.F. Andelt, T.R. Stanley, J.R. Resnik and L. Munson (2012) Effects of roads on survival of San Clemente island foxes. Mana. Con. 76: 243-252.
4 Storm, G.L.(1965) Movements and activities of foxes as determined by radio-tracking. J. Wild. Mana. 29: 1-13.   DOI
5 Storm, G.L., R.D. Andrews, R.L. Phillips, R.A. Bishop, D.B. Siniff and J.R. Tester(1976) Morphology, reproduction, dispersal, and mortality of midwestern red fox populations. Wild. Mon. 49: 1-82.
6 Voigt, D.R.(1987) Red fox. In: Nowak, M., J.A., Baker, M.E. Obbaed and B. Malloch(ed.), Wild furbearer management and conservation in North America, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, pp. 379-392.
7 Waters, S.S.(2010) Swift fox Vulpes velox reintroductions: a review of release protocols. International Zoo Yearbook 44: 173-182.
8 Weber, J.M., J.S. Meia and S. Meyer(1999) Breeding success of the red fox Vulpes vulpes in relation to fluctuating prey in central Europe. Wild. Biol. 5: 241-244.
9 Wei, F., Z. Fgeng and J. Hu(1997) Population viability analysis computer model of giant panda population in Wuyipeng, Wolong Natural Reserve, China. International Conference on Bear Research and Management 9: 19-23.
10 Won, C. and K.G. Smith(1999) History and current status of mammals of the Korean peninsula. Mammal Rev. 29: 3-33.   DOI
11 Yoneda, M. and K. Maekawa(1982) Effects of hunting on age structure and survival rates of red fox in eastern Hokkaido. J. Wild. Mana. 46: 781-786.   DOI
12 Breitenmoser, U., C. Breitenmoser-wursten, L.C. Carbyn and S.M. Funk(2001) Assessment of Carnivore Reintroductions. Carnivore Conservation, pp. 241-281.
13 Ables, E.D.(1975) Ecology of the Red Fox in America. In The Wild Canids, pp. 216-236.
14 Akcakaya, H.R. and P. Sjogren-Gulve(2000) Population viability analysis in conservation planning: an overview. Ecol. Bul. 48: 9-21.
15 Alberta Swift Fox Recovery Team(2007) Alberta Swift Fox Recovery Plan 2006-2011. Alberta Unstainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk Recovery Plan No. 14. Edmonton, Alberta, 23pp.
16 Allen, S.H. and A.B. Sargeant(1993) Dispersal patterns of red foxes relative to population density. J. Wild. Mana. 57: 526-533.   DOI
17 Allen, S.H.(1984) Some aspects of reproductive performance in female red fox in North Dakota. J. Mamm. 65: 246-255.   DOI
18 Bremner-Harrison, S. and B.L. Cypher(2007) Feasibility and Strategies for Translocating San Joaquin Kit Foxes to Vacant or Restored Habitats. California State University, Stanislaus, 74pp.
19 Brito, D. and M.S. Figueiredo(2003) Minimum viable population and conservation status of the Atlantic forest spiny rat(Trinomys eliasi). Biol. Con. 113: 153-158.   DOI
20 Cheong, S.H., H.C. Sung, D.S. Park and S.R. Park(2009) Population viability analysis of a Gold-spotted pond frog(Rana chosenica) population: Implications for effective conservation and reintroduction. Kor. Soc. Env. Biol. 27: 73-81. (in Korean with English abstract)
21 IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group(1998) IUCN guidelines for re-introductions. IUCN. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK, 11pp.
22 Yu, J.N., S.H. Han, B.H. Kim, A.P. Kryukov, S. Kim, B.Y. Lee and M. Kwak(2012) Insights into Korean Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Based on Mitochondrial Cytochrome b Sequence Variation in East Asia. Zool. Sci. 29: 753-760.   DOI
23 Cotterill, S.E.(1997) Status of the Swift Fox(Vulpes velox) in Alberta. Alberta Environmental Protection, Wildlife Management Division, Wildlife Status Report No. 7. Edmonton, AB, 17pp.
24 Haines, A.M., M.E. Tewes, L.L. Laack, J.S. Horne and J.H. Young(2006) A habitat-based population viability analysis for ocelots(Leopardus pardalis) in the United States. Biol. Con. 132: 424-436.   DOI
25 Harris, S. and G.C. Smith(1987) Demography of two urban fox(Vulpes vulpes) populations. J. App. Ecol. 24: 75-86.   DOI
26 Lacy, R.C.(1993) VORTEX; a computer simulation model for population viability analysis. Wildlife Research 20: 45-65.   DOI
27 Kang, D.W. and D.J. Song(2010) Survey on Environmental Characteristic and Habitats for Red Fox Restoration. National Park Research Institute and Species Restoration Technology Institute, pp. 1-146. (in Korean)
28 Kohlmann, S.G., G.A. Schmidt and D.K. Garcelon(2005) A population viability analysis for the island fox on Santa Catalina Island, California. Ecol. Mode. 183: 77-94.   DOI
29 Lariviere, S. and M. Pasitschniak-Arts(1996) Mammalian species; Vulpes vulpes. Ame. Soc. Mamm. 537: 1-11.
30 Li, D. and Z. Jiang(2002) Population viability analysis for the przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii). Russ. J. Ecol. 33: 115-120.   DOI
31 Lindenmayer, D.B., M.A. Burgman, H.R. Akcakaya, R.C. Lacy and H.P. Possingham(1995) A review of the generic computer programs ALEX, RAMAS/space and VORTEX for modelling the viability of wildlife metapopulations. Ecol. Mode. 82: 161-174.   DOI
32 Macdonal, D.W.(1979) 'Helpers' in fox society. Nat. 282: 69-71.   DOI
33 McIntosh, D.L.(1963) Reproduction and growth of the red fox in the Canberra district. CSIRO Wild. Res. 8: 132-141.   DOI
34 Moehrenschlager, A., S.M. Alexander and T. Brichieri-Colombi (2006) Habitat Suitability and Population Viability Analysis for Reintroduced Swift Fox in Canada and Northern Montana. Centre for Conservation Research, Calgary Zoo and University of Calgary, pp. 1-30.
35 Ministry of Environment of Korea(2006) Restoration Plan of Endangered Species. Gwancheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea, 183pp. (in Korean)
36 Ministry of Environment of Korea(2012) Wild Adaptation Training and Release Monitoring Technique Development for Red Fox (Endangered Species)Rrestoration, Gwancheon-si, Gyeonggido, Korea, 109pp. (in Korean)
37 Papakosta, M., D. Bakaloudis, K. Kitikidou, C. Vlachos and E. Chatzinikos(2010) Dietary overlap among seasons and habitats of red fox and stone marten in central greece. Euro. J. Sci. Res. 45: 122-127.
38 Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources(2007) Recovery Plan for the Canada Lynx(Lynx canadensis) in Nova Scotia. Government of Nova Scotia, 33pp.
39 Page, R.J.C.(1981) Sistens omnium animalium in extenso imperio Rossico et adjacentibus maribus observatorum recensionem, domicilia, mores et descriptiones, anatomen atque icones plurimorum. Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica. 1: 1-568.
40 Ralls, K., J.D. Ballou and A.R. Templeton(1988) Estimates of lethal equivalents and the cost of inbreeding in mammals. Con. Biol. 2: 185-193.   DOI
41 Russell, R.H. and G.W. Scotter(1984) Return of the native. Nat. Canada. 13: 7-13.
42 Ryan, G.E.(1976) Observations on the reproduction and age structure of the fox, Vulpes vulpes L., in New South Wales. Aust. Wild. Res. 3: 11-20.   DOI
43 Sargeant, A.B.(1982) A case history of a dynamic resource-the red fox. In: G.C. Sanderson(ed.), Midwest furbearer management, Proceedings of the 43rd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Wichita, Kansas, 195pp.
44 Sasmal, I.(2011) Population Viability Analysis of the Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) at the Badlands National Park. Natural Resource Management Department, South Dakota State University, USA, 101pp.