SCALP CATEGORIES
The collection of chance observations on the presence of large carnivores provides information on their current occurrence and spatial distribution, thus representing an important element in their population monitoring. These observations serve as a basis for deciding where to use more complex but more robust methods of population monitoring. However, as they are not based on standardised sampling plans, such observations are difficult to analyse and interpret. In fact, they depend on the observer’s presence and reporting discipline, who usually lacks specific training within the framework of a monitoring network. Consequently, this often leads to spatial distortions in the reports and reduced the significance of the data.
To standardise the recording of random observations, a common presentation and interpretation of the collected data has been developed within the framework of the Alpine lynx monitoring, known as the SCALP criteria, SCALP: Status and Conservation of the Alpine Lynx Population. Originally designed for the lynx, the criteria have since been adapted for other species to enable uniform classification of the data.
According to SCALP categories, observations are divided into three groups based on their significance and verifiability: C1, clear evidence or «Hard facts», C2, confirmed evidence by trained personnel and C3, unconfirmed evidence and any unverifiable observation, such as sightings.
An overlay of the three SCALP categories results in a realistic image of the knowledge of lynx distribution in the Alps.
© SCALP
SCALP Categories Lynx
C1 – clear evidence: lynx found dead, photos and videos of lynx, live captures and genetic evidence
C2 – confirmed evidence: reports confirmed by trained personnel, such as kills (livestock and wild animals) and tracks
C3 – unconfirmed evidence: unverified kills, tracks and scats, and all unverifiable evidence such as vocalisations and sightings
Based on: KORA; Molinari‐Jobin, A., Kéry, M., Marboutin, E., Molinari, P., Koren, I., Fuxjäger, C., ... & Breitenmoser, U. (2012). Monitoring in the presence of species misidentification: the case of the Eurasian lynx in the Alps. Animal Conservation, 15(3), 266-273.
SCALP Categories Wolf
C1 – clear evidence: wolves found dead, photos and videos in which wolves are clearly recognisable, live captures and genetic evidence. In addition, vocalisations that have been recorded and evaluated by experts.
C2 – confirmed evidence: reports confirmed by trained personnel, such as kills (livestock and wild animals) and tracks, as well as visual observations by gamekeepers
C3 – unconfirmed evidence: unverified kills, tracks and scats, and all unverifiable vocalisations. Visual observations by non-gamekeepers, as well as poor-quality photos and videos in which wolves are not clearly recognisable.
Based on: KORA; Molinari‐Jobin, A., Kéry, M., Marboutin, E., Molinari, P., Koren, I., Fuxjäger, C., ... & Breitenmoser, U. (2012). Monitoring in the presence of species misidentification: the case of the Eurasian lynx in the Alps. Animal Conservation, 15(3), 266-273.
SCALP Categories Bear
C1 – clear evidence: bears found dead, photos and videos of bears, live captures and genetic evidence
C2 – confirmed evidence: reports confirmed by trained personnel, such as kills (livestock and wild animals), damage (infrastructure and/or beehives) or tracks
C3 – unconfirmed evidence: unverified kills, tracks and scats, and all unverifiable evidence such as vocalisations and sightings
Based on: KORA; Molinari‐Jobin, A., Kéry, M., Marboutin, E., Molinari, P., Koren, I., Fuxjäger, C., ... & Breitenmoser, U. (2012). Monitoring in the presence of species misidentification: the case of the Eurasian lynx in the Alps. Animal Conservation, 15(3), 266-273.
SCALP Categories Golden Jackal
C1 – clear evidence: golden jackals found dead, photos and videos in which golden jackals are clearly recognisable, live captures and genetic evidence. In addition, vocalisations that have been recorded and evaluated by experts.
C2 – confirmed evidence: not available for golden jackals, as tracks and kills cannot be reliably distinguished from those of foxes or dogs
C3 – unconfirmed evidence: kills, tracks and scats, and all undocumented evidence such as vocalisations and sightings
Source: Hatlauf, Jennifer & Böcker, Felix. (2021). Empfehlungen zur Dokumentation und Beurteilung von Hinweisen des Goldschakals (Canis aureus) in Europa. 26. 36.
SCALP Categories Wildcat
C1: clear evidence: Genetically confirmed evidence
C1H: clear evidence of hybrids: Genetically confirmed evidence of hybrids
C2: confirmed phenotypic evidence: Evidence confirmed by trained personnel based either on morphological examination of adult wildcat carcasses or on photographs and videos that allow phenotypic determination based on established criteria (by Gerngross et al. 2023)
C2H: confirmed phenotypic evidence hybrid: Phenotypic suspicion of hybridisation confirmed by trained personnel based on defined criteria
C3: unconfirmed evidence: Unverifiable visual observations, photos and videos that do not allow for clear phenotypic determination
Phenotypic characteristics are defined according to Maronde et al. 2020; Gerngross et al. 2023.
Sources: Maronde, L., Zimmermann, F., Kunz, F., Breitenmoser-Würsten, C. H., & Breitenmoser, U. (2020). Bestimmungshilfe zur Unterscheidung von Wild-und Hauskatzen anhand von Fotofallenbildern aus dem Schweizer Jura. KORA Bericht, (92).
Gerngross, P., Götz, M., Breitenmoser, U., Molinari-Jobin, A., & Maronde, L. (2023). Categorisation of European wildcat records according to the SCALP scheme. Cat. N., 78, 21-24.