Main landscape metrics affecting abundance and diversity of game species in a semi-arid agroecosystem in the Mediterranean region

Abstract

Hunting bags provide important information for conservation measures and wildlife management. This study is to assess relationships between landscape structure and game species. The community parameters (abundance, richness and diversity) and landscape/land use indices have been related, using GIS and statistical analysis, in the South-East of Spain (Marina Baja, Alicante). Game species richness (S) is determined by the presence of fruit groves (p = 0.001, R = 0.714) and landscape shape. The total density of species (TD) is influenced positively by fruit groves (p = 0.001, R = 0.783) and wooded shrublands (p = 0.002, R = 0.911), but is influenced negatively by urban areas (p < 0.001, R = 0.844). Small game communities correlate to irrigated fruit (p = 0.002, R = 0.754) and dry vineyard (p = 0.021, R = 0.839) and also with the diversity landscape index (p = 0.029, R = 0.708). Big game density is positively related to holm oak (p = 0.018, R = 0.812) and dense pine forests (p = 0.001, R = 0.849) and also with the total area landscape index (p = 0.011, R = 0.921). Population control species prefer irrigated fruit (p < 0.001, R = 0.775), fruit groves (p < 0.001, R = 0.857) and irrigated vineyard (p = 0.017, R = 0.833) land uses. Our conclusion is that most game species presents a positive relation with landscape structure, such as fractal dimension and shape index, and traditional agriculture based on irrigated and dry fruit crops.Additional key words: game community; GIS; hunting bags; Mediterranean agrosystem; semi-arid climate. ResumenPrincipales indicadores del paisaje que afectan a la comunidad de especies cinegéticas en un agroecosistema semiárido en la región mediterránea Los estadísticos de caza proporcionan información fundamental para implementar medidas de conservación y manejo de fauna. Este estudio pretende evaluar las relaciones entre la estructura del paisaje y las especies de caza. Se han relacionado los parámetros de la comunidad (abundancia, riqueza y diversidad), el paisaje y los índices de uso del suelo, usando SIG y análisis estadísticos, en el sureste de España (Marina Baja, Alicante). La riqueza de especies (S) está correlacionada positivamente con los frutales (p = 0,001, R = 0,714) y la forma del paisaje. La densidad total de especies (TD) está influenciada positivamente por los frutales (p = 0,001, R = 0,783) y el matorral arbolado (p = 0,002, R = 0,911), aunque influida negativamente por las zonas urbanas (p < 0,001, R = 0,844). Las especies de caza menor se correlacionan con el frutal de regadío (p = 0,002, R = 0,754), el viñedo de secano (p = 0,021, R = 0,839) y con el índice de diversidad del paisaje (p = 0,029, R = 0,708). La densidad de especies de caza mayor se relaciona positivamente con el encinar (p = 0,018, R = 0,812), el pinar denso (p = 0,001, R = 0,849) y con el índice de área total del paisaje (p = 0,011, R = 0,921). Las especies que requieren control de la población prefieren el frutal (p < 0,001, R = 0,775), la viña de regadío (p = 0,017, R = 0,833) y frutales de sec...

Analysis of Ring Recoveries of European Turtle DovesStreptopelia turtur— Flyways, Migration Timing and Origin Areas of Hunted Birds

“…A comparison with nest densities reported in Algerian populations (Table 2) further demonstrates the importance of Moroccan irrigated areas as a high-density nesting zone for African Turtle-doves. In studying the main landscape metrics affecting abundance of game species in a semi-arid agroecosystem in the Mediterranean region, Belda et al (2011) have also reported the great abundance of Turtle-doves in irrigated fruit orchards in Europe.…”

Main ecological gradients and landscape matrix affect wild rabbitOryctolagus cuniculus(Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia: Leporidae) abundance in a coastal region (South-East Spain)

“…Previous studies indicate that rabbits are influenced by landscape shape index (p = 0.015; R = 0.580) and are distributed irregularly over the surface of the region (Belda et al 2011). This species prefer ecotone areas, where they can find the basic requirements for their survival in a small space.…”

“…The greatest presence of rabbits in the census is found in the irrigated lands, dominated by citrus and medlar orchards, despite being a matrix that only occupies 15.09% of the total surface area (Belda et al 2011). In contrast, drip irrigation enables fresh grass to be present all year round; therefore, the rabbits have more food of a better quality here than in other areas.…”

“…This region has a structure that is formed by the combination of agricultural and natural matrices that are linked by corridors of natural vegetation. It is, therefore, an area of great contrasts, which goes from the coastal zone to valleys and sheer areas over a relatively short distance, thus providing a rich landscape system (Peña et al 2007;Belda et al 2011;Zaragozí et al 2012). Furthermore, comparable studies have been conducted on game species in nearby regions, using similar methods (Arques 2000;Jiménez-García 2007;Peiro & Blanc 2011;Belda & Zaragozí et al 2012).…”

“…Landscape heterogeneity is considerably reduced in hunting reserves located in mountainous areas with pine woods; therefore, the presence of rabbit populations is lower. In previous studies, small game density has been correlated to the landscape heterogeneity using Shannon's diversity index (p = 0.029; R = 0.708) (Belda et al 2011).…”