Differential response of a carnivore community to predator control: a spatio-temporal observational study

Abstract

Predator control has historically shaped management towards minimising predator pressure on sensitive species in most hunting and protected areas. Despite widespread use, few studies of medium-sized carnivores have evaluated such control. To fill this void, we studied the effect of control on shaping a carnivore community consisting of European badgers Meles meles Linnaeus, 1758, stone martens Martes foina Erxleben, 1777 and red foxes Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758, in the Serra de Montsant area (NE Spain), and we report the recovery dynamics for different habitats (forest, scrubland and cultivated land) over time (3 years) when that control was halted. The results show that non-selective predator control is inadequate to reconcile the conservation of ecosystems with hunting. Specifically, it favours the frequency of occurrence of red foxes, which are the main consumer of small game species, and also reduces the frequency of occurrence of European badgers and stone martens, which are protected species. The recovery or regression sequence was observed over time in an area where there had previously been control, and was compared with the point of reference provided by an uncontrolled area. The results show the recovery of European badgers (135% over 3 years) and stone martens (285% over 3 years), and the regression of red foxes (–10% over 3 years) when control is halted. Monitoring the different habitats, European badgers recover first on cultivated land, then scrubland and more slowly in forest. Stone martens recover first in forest, and then scrubland and cultivated land. In contrast, red foxes maintain their numbers in scrubland, and decline slightly in forest and on cultivated land. The observed preferences have been associated with the capacity to meet basic needs of food, protection and balance with competitors.