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V Sloveniji je bilo opravljenih le nekaj raziskav habitata rastišč divjega petelina. Taka znanja so pomembna pri določitvi in izvajanju ukrepov za ohranitev oziroma povečanje številčnosti vrste. Namen dela je bil ugotoviti sedanjo aktivnost dvajsetih znanih rastišč divjega petelina na Uršlji gori z bližnjo okolico v primerjavi s prejšnjima popisoma (Adamič, 1986 Čas, 2000) in evidentirati potencialna nova. Prav tako smo želeli ugotoviti, ali so med aktivnimi in opuščenimi rastišči divjega petelina razlike v habitatnih danostih. Popise aktivnosti rastišč smo izvajali po metodi poslušanja pojočih samcev zgodaj zjutraj in beleženja znakov prisotnosti v času rastitve od 1.4. do 20.5. v letih 2019 in 2020. Habitatne značilnosti rastišč smo popisali na treh aktivnih rastiščih in treh opuščenih. Na podlagi dobljenih rezultatov smo ugotovili, da se je število aktivnih rastišč v primerjavi z letoma/če gre samo za ti leti, sicer v letih 1986 in 2000 zelo zmanjšalo (aktivnih le 30 % od vseh znanih). Na rastiščih smo v obeh letih skupno popisali približno trikrat manj aktivnih petelinov, tri neaktivne več ter 2,7-krat manj kokoši kot leta 2000. Iz tega sklepamo, da je na proučevanem območju vrsta ogrožena in lahko v naslednjih nekaj desetletjih izgine z območja, če se bo trend številčnosti še naprej manjšal. Delež opuščenih rastišč je bil večji v gozdovih z nižjo nadmorsko višino (pod 1200 m). Evidentirali nismo nobenega novega rastišča, so se pa centri aktivnih rastišč v primerjavi z zadnjim popisom spremenili v prostoru. Ugotovili smo razlike v habitatnih danostih med obema tipoma rastišč. Za aktivna rastišča je bila značilna velika pokritost tal z zeliščno plastjo (85 %, od tega 24 % jagodičja), več mravljišč, redkejši sklep sestoja (40-60 % zastrte površine), večja vidljivost pri tleh ter večji delež starejših iglastih sestojev v primerjavi z opuščenimi. Vidljivost pri tleh in delež drevesnih vrst glede na naše ugotovitve nista bistveno vplivala na aktivnost rastišč. To this day, there has been very little research regarding the exploration of habitat characteristics of capercaillie leks in Slovenia. This knowledge is crucial for discerning and exercising measures for preserving and increasing species abundance. This study aims to determine the recent activity of 20 known capercaillie leks on Uršlja Gora and its surroundings in comparison with past surveys (Adamič, 1986 Čas, 2000) and to record potential new ones. We also wanted to establish any differences in habitat characteristics between active and abandoned capercaillie leks. We conducted our research with methodical listening of singing males early in the morning and taking note of their presence at the time of their mating season between 1. 4. and 20. 5. in 2019 and 2020. A survey of habitat characteristics was implemented in three active and three abandoned leks. The number of active leks has significantly decreased compared to the surveys in 1986 and 2000 (only 30 % of known leks has remained active). We documented approximately threetimes fewer active males, three times more inactive males and 2,7 times fewerfemales than in 2000. Thereupon, we conclude that the species is endangered in the study area and could disappear in the next few decades if their numbers continue to decrease. The percentage of abandoned leks was higher in forests with lower altitude (below 1200 m). We did not document any new leks, but we discovered that the centres of active leks have shifted compared to the last survey. We also discovered differences in habitat characteristics between both types of leks. Compared to abandoned leks, active leks experienced higher cover of herbaceous layer (85 %, 24 % being berries), a higher number of anthills, low canopy cover (40%60 %), higher ground level visibility and a higher percentage of old conifer stands. Ground-level visibility and percentage of different tree species did not considerably affect leks activity.

The Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus L.) is a grouse species of open boreal or high altitude forests of Eurasia. It is endangered throughout most mountain range habitat areas in Europe. Two major genetically identifiable lineages of Western Capercaillie have been described to date: the southern lineage at the species' southernmost range of distribution in Europe, and the boreal lineage. We address the question of genetic differentiation of capercaillie populations from the Rhodope and Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, across the Dinaric Mountains to the Slovenian Alps. The two lineages' contact zone and resulting conservation strategies in this so-far understudied area of distribution have not been previously determined. The results of analysis of mitochondrial DNA control region sequences of 319 samples from the studied populations show that Alpine populations were composed exclusively of boreal lineage ; Dinaric populations of both, but predominantly (96%) of boreal lineage ; and Rhodope-Rila populations predominantly (>90%) of southern lineage individuals. The Bulgarian mountains were identified as the core area of the southern lineage, and the Dinaric Mountains as the western contact zone between both lineages in the Balkans. Bulgarian populations appeared genetically distinct from Alpine and Dinaric populations and exhibited characteristics of a long-term stationary population, suggesting that they should be considered as a glacial relict and probably a distinct subspecies. Although all of the studied populations suffered a decline in the past, the significantly lower level of genetic diversity when compared with the neighbouring Alpine and Bulgarian populations suggests that the isolated Dinaric capercaillie is particularly vulnerable to continuing population decline. The results are discussed in the context of conservation of the species in the Balkans, its principal threats and legal protection status. Potential conservation strategies should consider the existence of the two lineages and their vulnerable Dinaric contact zone and support the specificities of the populations.