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Habitat use and spatial patterns of wild boar Sus scrofa (L.): agricultural fields and edges

Habitat use and spatial patterns of wild boar Sus scrofa (L.): agricultural fields and edges Rapidly increasing populations of wild boar in Sweden and Europe cause much damage to crops, and there is a critical need for more knowledge about their habitat utilization, especially of agricultural fields. In our study, we first assess the spatial pattern of damage in relation to the edges of agricultural fields. Next, with the aid of global positioning system collars, we studied the pattern of movement of wild boar on agricultural fields. Finally, in order to understand the role of agricultural fields, we studied how habitat selection may vary throughout the year. We found edge effects on damage patterns in agricultural fields. During winter and spring, we found wild boar not only to follow edges, but also to move along narrow landscape elements within agricultural fields. In our habitat analysis, we found strong avoidance of exposed agricultural fields throughout the year, but significantly less when crops are ripe. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png European Journal of Wildlife Research Springer Journals

Habitat use and spatial patterns of wild boar Sus scrofa (L.): agricultural fields and edges

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References (41)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 by Springer-Verlag
Subject
Life Sciences; Animal Ecology; Zoology
ISSN
1612-4642
eISSN
1439-0574
DOI
10.1007/s10344-009-0268-1
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Rapidly increasing populations of wild boar in Sweden and Europe cause much damage to crops, and there is a critical need for more knowledge about their habitat utilization, especially of agricultural fields. In our study, we first assess the spatial pattern of damage in relation to the edges of agricultural fields. Next, with the aid of global positioning system collars, we studied the pattern of movement of wild boar on agricultural fields. Finally, in order to understand the role of agricultural fields, we studied how habitat selection may vary throughout the year. We found edge effects on damage patterns in agricultural fields. During winter and spring, we found wild boar not only to follow edges, but also to move along narrow landscape elements within agricultural fields. In our habitat analysis, we found strong avoidance of exposed agricultural fields throughout the year, but significantly less when crops are ripe.

Journal

European Journal of Wildlife ResearchSpringer Journals

Published: Apr 21, 2009

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