Do Soils affect Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) abundance in agricultural habitats?

• Published in: Hystrix Vol. 19; no. 1
• Main Authors: Santilli, Francesco, Ferretti, Marco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Italian
• Published: Varese Associazione Teriologica Italiana 10.07.2008
• Subjects: central Italy; farmland; Habitats; hare density; Influenza; Lepus europaeus; Protected areas; Soil temperature; Soil texture; Tillage
• ISSN: 0394-1914; 1825-5272
• DOI: 10.4404/hystrix-19.1-4413

In recent years, much research on brown hare (Lepus europaeus, Pallas 1778) ecology has been conducted in Europe to identify habitat-species relationships and the reasons for the decline in hare populations that have occurred since the 1960s. However, very few studies have considered the influence of soil texture on the abundance of this species in agricultural habitats. In this paper we examine the relationship between winter brown hare density in protected areas (game refuges) in four provinces of the Tuscany region (central Italy) and soil texture. Results show that hares reach higher densities in areas characterized by "loam" soils compared to areas where soils are richer in clay. Although this relationship is probably complex, soil texture may indirectly affect brown hare populations by influencing the temperature and moisture of the ground and influencing the timing of farming operations (tillage).