Does fox control improve red–legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) survival? An experimental study in Northern Spain

Irec, Csic–Uclm–Jccm, Ciudad Real, Spain ,A Mateo–Moriones,R Villafuerte,P Ferreras

doi:10.32800/abc.2012.35.0395

Irec, Csic–Uclm–Jccm, Ciudad Real, Spain , A Mateo–Moriones + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.32800/abc.2012.35.0395

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Abstract

This work evaluates the effectiveness of fox control as a method to improve the survival of red–legged partridge (Alectoris rufa). We radio–tracked 89 adult partridges and their chicks (62 few days old chicks and 46 over one–month–old chicks) and monitored their nests (N = 45) on two hunting estates in northern Spain over two years. Generalist predators (red fox, Vulpes vulpes, and magpie, Pica pica) were selectively controlled on one half of each estate during the first year, and on the other half in the second year. We estimated the effect of predator control on survival rates. Predator control did not improve survival rates for adult partridges and nests, but it improved chick survival, especially for chicks over one–month old.

Highlights

The red–legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a galliform species distributed in southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula, France, Italy) and the UK
We evaluated the effect of predator control on the survival of adults, nests and partridge chicks during a two–year experimental study on two hunting estates in Northern Spain
We independently assessed the effect of predator control on five different parameters: (1) predator abundance; (2) survival of adult partridges; (3) nests success; (4) survival of Chicks_1; and (5) survival of Chicks_2

Summary

Introduction

The red–legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a galliform species distributed in southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula, France, Italy) and the UK. It is globally considered as 'vulnerable' (Aebischer & Potts, 1994) and as a 'species of special interest' at the European level (Tucker & Heath, 1994). During recent decades, red– legged partridge populations have declined notably (Cramp & Simmons, 1980; Aebischer & Potts, 1994; Blanco–Aguiar et al, 2003). Poorly designed predator control could be counterproductive, since it could induce high densities of small predators by a process of mesopredator release (Crooks & Soulé, 1999; Blanco–Aguiar et al, 2001; Beja et al, 2009). An indiscriminate or unselective predator control may affect other species and lead to an imbalance of natural ecosystems (Coté & Sutherland, 1997)

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