Influence of some climatic factors and predators on the population size of Tatra chamois in the Tatra national park

Effect of weather conditions during the birth season and predators on the population of Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) was investigated using a serie of population counts from 1950 until 1996. Weather conditions were characterized by 16 variables derived from tlie daily temperature, precipitation and wind records of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. Among climatic factors, snow conditions proved to affect the population size. No effect of average or extreme temperatures was identified. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to identify the effects of population density and predators on the abundance of chamois. Both the actual population density and population growth of chamois proved to be affected by the population density in the preceding year, abundance of wolf and wild boar. No effect of tlhe abundance of lynx as a second major predator of chamois was found.