Status of a large population of the Adder Vipera berus (Linnaeus, 1758) introduced in eastern Belgium ; Statut d'une vaste population de Vipère péliade Vipera berus (Linnaeus, 1758) récemment introduite dans l'est de la Belgique

The common Adder (Vipera berus) is a species in sharp decline in Europe, and relictpopulations are subject of major conservation planning in several countries. The recently discoveredpopulation of the Hautes Fagnes (Belgium) seems to be in full expansion. This particular case constitutesa unique opportunity to understand the dynamics of a founder population over a vast area. We used siteoccupancymodelling to assess the distribution of this discrete species in this vast peatland habitat bydetermining the probability of use of 52 sample areas spread over nearly 5 000 ha. The population size wase... Mehr ...