Diet of wild boar Sus scrofa L. and crop damage in an intensive agroecosystem |
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Authors: | Juan Herrero Alicia García-Serrano Sergio Couto Vicente M Ortuño Ricardo García-González |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Ecology, Alcalá University, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28871, Spain;(2) Pyrenean Institute for Ecology (IPE-CSIC), P.O. Box 64, Jaca, 22700, Spain;(3) EGA, Wildlife Consultants, Sierra de Vicort, 31, 1°A, Zaragoza, 50003, Spain;(4) Department of Animal Biology and Physical Anthropology, Alcalá University, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28871, Spain |
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Abstract: | The Middle Ebro Valley (MEV) is a semiarid area in northeast Iberia where the original riparian ecosystems are almost extinct
and were replaced by intensive irrigated agricultural lands. To minimize crop damages and to understand the impact of wild
boar on relict riparian ecosystems, a culling program was undertaken from 1994 until 2004. To assess the impact of wild boars,
we analyzed stomach contents and surveyed crop damage. In the MEV, wild boars feed mainly on crops, particularly, maize. Other
elements of the diet that are of agricultural origin include wheat, barley, and alfalfa, which are the alternatives to maize
in the period between harvest and seeding, which is the basis of seasonal changes in diet. Results indicate that wild boar
actively selected maize crops and consumed wheat in proportion to its abundance; barley and alfalfa fields were damaged less
than expected based on their abundance. In the MEV, the wild boar population is limited by the availability of shelter areas
found in the scarce riparian ecosystems, which do not provide important food items for this population. We conclude that in
the region of this study, wild boars are not a significant threat to the flora and fauna of riparian ecosystems, although
as these habitats are restored and areas are protected, the carrying capacity for wild boars might increase. |
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Keywords: | Maize Wetlands Protected areas Limiting factor |
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