Simulating Brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas) dispersion: a tool for wildlife management of wide areas

摘要: The second half of the 20th century was characterised by intense processes urbanisation, industrialisation and agricultural mechanisation, leading to a fragmentation forest landscape. This, in turn, reduced bio-permeability territory affected dispersion many wild species. Brown hare (Lepus europeus) is dramatically habitat fragmentation, presence predators, tillage elevated hunting pressure. Consequently, only stable populations are often no-hunting areas where wildlife management efficient. It necessary, therefore, identify not additional suitable for reproduction, but also most pathways hares, order optimise management. In present study, means Geographic Information System (GIS), deterministic suitability model developed on basis multicriterial approach fuzzy logic. Subsequently, friction surface derived from map describe land bio-permeability. Finally, species potential, spread hares population (source areas) remaining simulated. area study province Viterbo (central Italy). showed good discrimination ability (ROC=0.705). simulation allowed potential spreading this throughout provincial be analysed. Isolated or less connected zones were highlighted, allowing distribution enhancements, and/or institution new devoted reproduction consequent territory, localised. presented flexible reiterable methodology could prove useful planning over wide area. would thus provide an important contribution reducing importance animal translocation favouring increase native resources spontaneously territory. more general sense, accordance with sustainable perspective, meeting requirements environmental protection, without compromising anthropic development non-urban areas.