Mapping Balkan chamois habitat use and assessing human disturbance and renewable energy impacts on Mount Oiti, Greece

The Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) is a protected ungulate with poor conservation status in Greece. We conducted seasonal surveys (2023) to collect 652 species’ occurrences on Mt. Oiti (study area: 156 km2). The seasonal ranges and the respective core areas (Kernel Density Estimates) showed limited size variation and a great spatial overlap, indicating limited seasonal movements. The suitable habitat (suitability values ≥ 0.6) as defined by Species Distribution Models (SDMs) covered 12.2 km2, with 28% extending beyond the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. The chamois inhabited forests throughout the year, besides grasslands in the summer and autumn. The three variables contributing most to the SDMs were related to human disturbance. The species strongly avoided areas near livestock pens, roads, and hunting grounds. Three wind power stations are planned; if constructed, the species will lose 17% of its suitable habitat and could reduce its range. The impact of nine proposed small hydroelectric stations remains uncertain. These findings emphasize the need to avoid infrastructure and road construction in suitable chamois habitats, expand protected areas and wildlife refuges, and manage livestock activities, supporting the implementation of the national action plan for the species.