Pilot study for population assessment and food analyses of otters (Lutra lutra) at the Aschau ponds (FFH area Lutter, Lachte, Aschau).

Project description

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is a strictly protected species whose populations in Germany are recovering in some areas (Ackermann, 2013). In the 19th century, the otter still showed a nearly area-wide distribution throughout Europe. However, habitat destruction, pollution of water bodies, and heavy hunting of the otter, which was considered a "fishery pest," caused a severe decline of this species until the 1970s. Thus, the otter was considered almost extinct in Germany at that time. In Lower Saxony, only isolated occurrences were known in the southern heath. It is therefore on the red list of endangered species nationwide, including in the state of Lower Saxony. By revitalization measures of its habitats the otter could already spread out again in the eastern Lower Saxony nearly area-wide. In order to get a realistic overview of the number of otters in the area of the FFH area "Lutter, Lachte, Aschau", a standardized survey of the local population should be carried out. It is therefore the aim to carry out a targeted monitoring in the study area in addition to precise mapping methods and to draw conclusions on the occurrence and feeding behavior of otters occurring there with the help of food and genetic analyses. The study also includes the recording of existing management measures in fisheries management as well as new developments in this area.