Changes in wild ungulate populations in Aragon, Spain between 2001 and 2010

Abstract

To update the information on the distributions of wild ungulates in Aragon, Spain, populations were surveyed based on questionnaires sent to rangers of the Government of Aragon. The data were analyzed in two five-year periods: 2001-2005 and 2006-2010. Our analysis was based on the 242 and 278 questionnaires, corresponding approximately with 80-90% answers that were analyzed in 2006 and 2011, respectively. The survey documented the presence/absence of up to eight wild ungulate species within a UTM 10x10 km grid on maps that were specific to the counties in which the rangers worked. In 2006-2010, wild boar Sus scrofa was the most widely distributed species as it occurred in all of the grid blocks. Roe deer Capreolus capreolus were documented in 89% of the grid blocks, Iberian wild goat Capra pyrenaica in 37%, red deer Cervus elaphus in 31%, Pyrenean chamois Rupicapra p. pyrenaica in 10%, feral goat Capra hircus in 8%, fallow deer Dama dama in 3%, and mouflon Ovis aries in 0.3%. The Pyrenees had the highest and the Middle Ebro Valley had the lowest diversity of ungulates. In the Iberian System, diversity was intermediate. Overall, the distribution of ungulates increased 21% between the two periods. Feral goat populations expanded the most (111%), although Iberian wild goat (61%), roe deer (50%), and red deer (4%) also expanded. The range of wild boar populations remained stable, but the ranges of chamois and fallow deer populations were reduced 6%. By 2010, typically, in most block grids three or more species of wild ungulates coexist. We recommend that ungulate populations in Aragon be surveyed at least every five years. Key words: re-wilding, sympatry, enclosures, rangers. ResumenCon el fin de actualizar la distribución de los ungulados silvestres en Aragón, se realizaron encuestas a los Agentes de Protección de la Naturaleza del Gobierno de Aragón en dos periodos: 2001-2005 y 2006-2010. Se recibieron un total de 242 y 278 respectivamente, correspondientes a un 80-90% de respuestas y que se analizaron en 2006 y 2011 respectivamente. Las encuestas documentaron la presencia/ausencia de hasta ocho especies de ungulados silvestres en cuadrículas UTM 10 x 10 km. En 2006-10, el jabalí Sus scrofa es la especie con una mayor distribución, ocupando la totalidad de las cuadrículas. El corzo Capreolus capreolus ocupó el 89% de las cuadrículas, la cabra montés Capra pyrenaica el 37%, el ciervo Cervus elaphus el 31%, el sarrio Rupicapra p. pyrenaica el 10%, la cabra doméstica asilvestrada Capra hircus el 8%, el gamo Dama dama el 3% y el muflón Ovis aries el 0,3%. Las zonas con mayor riqueza de ungulados se encuentran en el Pirineo, y los de menor con el Valle Medio del Ebro, siendo el Sistema Ibérico el que tiene una riqueza intermedia. En conjunto los ungulados han aumentado en un 21% su distribución entre los dos periodos, siendo el de mayor crecimiento la cabra doméstica asilvestrada (111%), seguido de la cabra montés (61%), corzo (50%) y ciervo (4%). La distribución del jabalí se ha mantenido y la del sarrio y el...

Grouping behaviour of Iberian wild goat during the parturition period in the Iberian System

“…After centuries of absence, during 1990s it spread in the Iberian System, the largest mountain range in Iberia, affecting Aragon region (Gortázar et al 2000). This expansion continues nowadays (González et al 2013).…”