Density of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pall.) and selected population indicators

Abstrakt

The paper presents the results of research on the body weight and population structures (age and sex) of hares in south-eastern Poland (Lublin Upland), conducted in 2019. The analysis included 205 hares from four regions differing in density, and thus in the hunting exploitation of the population. Due to low culling in two areas with low densities, the data from these areas were combined into one sample. The results showed that body weight was determined by the age of the individuals, while sex had no significant effect on this parameter. Despite the significant variability of body weight between research areas, no significant differences in this feature between regions of origin were found. The age structure was dominated by adults (over 1 year of age), especially in areas with low population densities. In terms of sex structure, females clearly dominated. It was demonstrated that the population structures described can have a direct impact on indicators of reproductive capacity and population continuity. Although the sample size was small in the low-density areas, the calculated indicators suggest that the viability of these populations is at serious risk. In areas with higher density indicators, limitations on hunting should be considered in order to maintain a density that guarantees the optimal functioning and persistence of the population.

Autorzy

artykuł
ROCZNIKI NAUKOWE POLSKIEGO TOWARZYSTWA ZOOTECHNICZNEGO
Angielski
2023
19
2
73-86
otwarte czasopismo
CC BY- NC 4.0 Uznanie autorstwa-Użycie niekomercyjne 4.0
ostateczna wersja opublikowana
w momencie opublikowania
2023-06-30
70
0
0
0