Riverbank assessment and management for the Eurasian otter in the north of Luxembourg

Th e presence of habitats such as burrows and dense willows along the rivers is very important for the survival of the European otter in terms of structures allowing quiet living conditions and possibilities for reproduction. To prevent the extinction of the otter in Luxembourg and nearby areas, an assessment of otter habitats and populations was made in 1994. Th is fi rst evaluation has demonstrated that only rivers in the north of Luxembourg were suitable for otter populations in terms of quality of habitats and that only a few individuals were still present in this part of the country. In 2007, a new habitat assessment was carried out to defi ne priorities for the management of habitats and to build or rebuild corridors to support otter migration and allow re-establishment of stable otter populations in the Benelux Countries. Two similar methods were used to assess quality of habitats in 1994 and 2007. Th e results of the habitat assessment are diff erent for the Mid Sure River and similar for the River Wiltz, the River Wark, the River Our and the Upper Sure River. Th is variation is probably due to assessment complexity and observer subjectivity, but also to the diffi culty to have a practical methodology for management priorities. From this point of view it would be useful to have a standard methodology at the European level to assess otter habitats. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2008