Report on the Second International Conference on Marmots

Abstract

The Second International Conference on Marmots was held in Aussois, in the Alps of Savoie, from 2nd to 6th October 1994, at the initiative of the Laboratory of Socioecology (EA 631, Claude Bernard University, Lyon). According to several funding supports it was possible to benefit of very accurate work conditions at the Conference Center of Aussois CNRS House including French-English simultaneous translation of lectures and debates. The collaborative support allowed to invite 30 participants from Central and Eastern Europe and Middle Asia. Thus it is a real pleasure for the organizers to thank the sponsoring organisms: Conseil Général de la Savoie, Conseil Régional Rhône-Alpes, E.D.F. Energie-Alpes, INTAS (European Union), International Science Foundation, Ministère de l’Environnement, Ministère de la recherche (A.C.C.E.S.S.), Municipalité d’Aussois, Parc National de la Vanoise, Université Lyon 1, which contributed greatly to the success of this meeting. During three days, the delegates discussed around three main topics: Marmot and People, Marmot and Health, Marmot Biology. Three synthesis conferences, 29 oral presentations and 45 posters were discussed. The general schedule of the Conference included a morning poster presentation, then a synthesis conference and during the after noon, oral lectures and discussions. A short abstract of the presented papers is given at the end of the report. A round table was held on “Marmots and thelaw in the world” which highlighted the great difference of status and of concern of marmots in the World as this rodent is used by people either as game, raw material or recreative animal. The conclusion of the round table was to gather more information on the legal status of the marmots in the different countries according to the different uses and states of conservation, this wild mammal being considered as a typical natural resource which would be proper to manage in a sustainable way. The discussion let appear that whether some marmot species seemed to be represented by healthy and numerous populations, several species were threatened or endangered, either in relation with a limited distribution area or with too hard extractive activities. The participants suggested to take contacts with IUCN in order toestablish a specialist group on marmots. Another conclusion of the roundtable was the interest of networking the research and mana- gement activities undertaken by the participants of the different countries in order to optimize their field work methods and use of data. A recommendation on the setting of an International Research Network on Marmot was elaborated.