Studies on the european hare. XVII. Estimation of European hare population density depending on the width of the assessment belt

Rajska, Ewa

doi:10.4098/at.arch.68-3

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(8 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The densities recorded in the study area in spring and autumn are comparable to those found in north and central Europe, though in very different environmental conditions (Jezierski 1968, Rajska 1968, Bresiñski 1976b, Bresiriski and Chlewski 1976, Pepin and Birkan 1981, Frylestam 1981a, Barnes et al 1983, Swihart 1986). The recruitment of population and the winter mortality appear on the contrary very different.…”

Section: Densities and Numerical Changessupporting

confidence: 51%

Studies on the European hare. 39. Population dynamics and habitat selection of the European hare on poplar monocultures in northern Italy

Meriggi¹,

Verri²

1990

Acta Theriol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

. 1990. Population dynamics and habitat selection of the European hare on poplar monocultures in northern Italy. Acta theriol. 35: 69-76.Drive censuses were carried out in March and November of each year from 1981 to 1987 to assess the spring and autumn densities of European hare Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778, in a protected area (375 ha) covered with poplar groves in the middle Po plain (northern Italy). Besides, line-transect censuses were made in 1986 and 1987 to record seasonal changes in density. Habitat selection was studied by comparing densities of resting hares and the frequency of observation of hares in activity in different habitats. The average recorded densities were 52.6 hares/km 2 (SD = 35.97) in spring and 38.1 (SD = 16.57) in autumn. The anomalous annual trend characterised by decreases from spring to autumn and increases from autumn to spring was explained by changes in food availability, which cause movements towards other zones surrounding the study area. The estimates of seasonal density showed that the decrease begins in late summer and will continue till late winter. The analysis of the habitat preferences showed a separation between feeding areas and resting areas.

show abstract

Section: Densities and Numerical Changessupporting

confidence: 51%

Studies on the European hare. 39. Population dynamics and habitat selection of the European hare on poplar monocultures in northern Italy

Meriggi¹,

Verri²

1990

Acta Theriol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Density is simply based on the number of different hares recorded divided by the total belt area covered. The method has been verified by comparing results from clearance counts with those of belt assessments in the same regions (Pielowski, 1969), and assessing the effect of using belts of different widths (Rajska, 1968). These authors concluded that belt assessments consistently tended to overestimate actual numbers by around 20%.…”

Section: Wide Belt Assessment Using a Line Of Several Beatersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This error was due to problems with perspective; the widths of the belt as seen by an assessor gazing forwards appear to narrow towards the horizon and therefore some hares outside the belt were recorded as originating within the belt. Rajska (1968) compared belt widths of 50, 100 and 150 m and suggested that this effect is more severe the narrower the belt and therefore advised against the use of a 50-m belt. The degree to which perspective influences the count will be influenced by how well the boundaries of the belt are marked in the field.…”

Section: Wide Belt Assessment Using a Line Of Several Beatersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techniques for assessing the abundance of Brown Hares Lepus europaeus

Langbein¹,

Hutchings²,

Harris³

et al. 1999

Mammal Review

105

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Over the last few decades, there have been significant declines in Brown Hare Lepus europaeus numbers throughout Europe, leading to concern for their status in many countries. In Britain, there were no quantified data on the extent of this decline, on current population levels, or any baseline against which to monitor future population changes. The need for a quantified national hare survey led to this evaluation of the techniques available to assess hare numbers. Published information on counting hares is reviewed, and various techniques compared by applying them to a number of sites in southern England. Three basic approaches are available: counts of inactive hares, counts of active hares and indirect methods. Counts of inactive hares include total clearance, wide belt and line transect counts. Total clearance counts give an absolute figure, but are labour intensive and can only be applied to restricted areas. Wide‐belt assessments are difficult to apply in certain habitats and even in open areas tend to produce a substantial over‐estimate. Line transect counts are easy to undertake and are not labour intensive but should only be applied to large areas, or data from several small areas combined. Counts based on active hares are more problematical, because it is difficult to determine what proportion of the population is inactive at any one time. Spotlight counts based on variable circular plots are the most accurate but difficult to apply widely, and twilight counts are very subjective in their interpretation, especially when surveying small areas or areas with a large proportion of concealing habitats. Of the indirect methods, dung pellet counts can be valuable in specific areas but are difficult to apply across a range of habitats. We concluded that, of the various techniques considered, line transect counts have the greatest potential for a national survey, but need to be stratified so that enough transects are undertaken within each habitat stratum to obtain a reliable mean population estimate for each stratum.

show abstract

“…In spot counts, counting takes place at fixed spots, preferably at night using spotlights; this method is often used and produces good results (Barnes & Tapper 1985). In belt counts, transects about 100 m wide are walked by a line of drivers (no fewer than one per 15 m) during the day in representative sub-areas (Rajska 1968, Pielowski 1969, Frylestam 1981, Langbein et al 1999. However, the validation of this method with other absolute methods has shown that such belt counts lead to systematic and substantial overestimates of the population (Rajska 1968, Pielowski 1969.…”

Section: Choice Of Count Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the usefulness of transect counts in monitoring local brown hare populations: Description of monitoring in 12 test areas and detailed analysis of the results from Bertembos

Huysentruyt¹,

Scheppers²,

Verschelde³

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

www.inbo.be AcknowledgementsWe would like to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers and managers of the various GMUs who have counted brown hare over the years and collected the many data that made this report possible.Thanks are also due to anyone who has ever gone out on any of the INBO counts in Bertem (interns, colleagues, those with an interest from the hunting community, HVV, ANB and Natuurpunt) and braved the cold nights with us in search of brown hare which often proved scarce.We hope that the many hours that have already been spent by each of you will not mark simply the end of this longterm project, but the beginning of a brown hare monitoring programme that will be broadly implemented in Flanders and thus contribute to the evidence-based management of this small game species.www.inbo.be D/2018/3241/050 5 AbstractIn 2001, INBO engaged in a project with a number of local game management units (GMUs) to evaluate the practicality and feasibility of a census method to determine long-term trends in spring population numbers of brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in Flanders.Brown hare is an important game species in Flanders, hunted in almost every GMU. In recent years, however, bag sizes for the species have gradually declined. In addition, brown hare is a species that is characterised by large annual fluctuations in population size. It is therefore important for GMUs to gain insight into population numbers, preferably prior to the hunting season, as a basis to determine the annual bag. When GMUs were set up in Flanders, reports on annual spring population estimates per GMU were made mandatory for several game species, including brown hare.Although transect counts using spotlights have shown to be an appropriate and feasible method for long-term monitoring of hare populations, an evaluation of their use in Flanders was undertaken in collaboration with several GMUs before making this method mandatory. The data gathered in the different GMUs show that there is sufficient manpower and willingness in Flanders to collect long-term data of high quality.Brown hare counts in Flanders are generally performed from January to March, and the results are consistent throughout the entire period. However, it is still preferable to limit the spread of the counts in time and select a shorter consistent annual count period. At least four annual counts are necessary and it is very important that all of them are performed in each year. As the method was also found to be very sensitive to the use of shorter routes (< approx. 300 m), a minimum length of 800 m per route is recommended. To ensure sufficient spatial distribution and capture the variation between the different zones in a given area, it is also recommended that the length of the different separate routes should not be too great (a maximum of 1.5 to 2 km). It is very important that all routes are accessible at all times and can therefore be included in almost every count throughout the entire monitoring period.As a rule of thumb for the design of a monitoring scheme ...

show abstract

Studies on the european hare. XVII. Estimation of European hare population density depending on the width of the assessment belt

Cited by 6 publications

References 6 publications

Studies on the European hare. 39. Population dynamics and habitat selection of the European hare on poplar monocultures in northern Italy

Studies on the European hare. 39. Population dynamics and habitat selection of the European hare on poplar monocultures in northern Italy

Techniques for assessing the abundance of Brown Hares Lepus europaeus

Analysis of the usefulness of transect counts in monitoring local brown hare populations: Description of monitoring in 12 test areas and detailed analysis of the results from Bertembos

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About