Winter severity or supplementary feeding—which matters more for wild boar?

摘要: During recent decades, wild boar have successfully colonised areas previously believed to be unsuitable for the species. Estonia lies close northern limit of species range, and mast foods, which are a common natural food source many populations, practically absent. We hypothesised that proportion cultivated area especially supplementary feeding, is widely used in lower winter mortality game species, play important roles sustaining local population. To determine most factors shaping abundance environment, we developed mixed models account variation an index (AI) based on track counts. The feeding sites mean January temperature were determining abundance. conclude current high population density sustained by intensive has exceeded limiting effect harsh winters.