Habitat correlates of wild boar density and rooting along an environmental gradient

Abstract In wild ungulates, habitat choice usually is influenced by foraging constraints and predator avoidance, potentially leading to spatial variation of population density (e.g., greater densities in food rich or safer habitats). Assessing habitat-correlates abundance activity turn important understanding determinants distribution. We assessed correlates presence, density, rooting, for boar Sus scrofa, the most widespread ungulate world, six protected areas central Italy. worked along an altitudinal gradient ranging from coast mountains, late spring-summer 2019. surveyed 617 sampling plots randomly placed onto study with tessellation stratified sampling, where we used fecal counts estimate visually estimated proportion rooted area. Overall estimates rooting (± standard error) varied 3.5 ± 2.0 17.9 5.4 individuals/km2 1.4 0.8% 10.9 1.1% ground. Density showed a moderate yet nonsignificant correlation across sites. Probability abundance, were higher ecotone habitats (transition between wooded open areas). Topography did not influence presence local abundance. Rooting increased decreasing slope rock cover, as well increasing elevation, possibly due soil supporting forage nutritional quality. Our results support importance boar, emphasizing role these transitional period nursing/weaning offspring, when crops are actively growing. Differences overall sites may depend on site-specific features (soil moisture availability alternative resources). Future studies should test inter-annual differences changes density. Notwithstanding latter, identified significant ecological drivers activity.