Habitat preference of wild boar (Sus scrofa) for feeding in cool-temperate forests

Youngjin Kim,Yeonsook Choung,Soyeon Cho

doi:10.1186/s41610-019-0126-3

Youngjin Kim, Yeonsook Choung + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41610-019-0126-3

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Abstract

BackgroundThe growing wild boar population has become a social issue and its feeding characteristics could affect the physical condition and the plant species composition in the South Korean forests. We aimed to reveal the preference of the wild boar on forest type and site condition as feeding grounds in two cool-temperate forested national parks, Odaesan and Seoraksan, in order to provide information to manage the growing population.ResultsThe 75 plots (53.6%) out of 140 plots were used as feeding grounds by the wild boar, implying a considerably large population. Especially, the observation frequency as feeding ground was the highest in Quercus forests (73.3%), and it was significantly more preferred than deciduous forest type (44.2%) and coniferous forest type (32.4%) (χ2 = 17.591, p < 0.001). Significantly more and deeper pits were found in Quercus forests. Moreover, high elevation and gentle slope ridge were relatively preferred regardless of forest distribution.ConclusionsSouth Korean forests are growing qualitatively and quantitatively. Particularly, Quercus forest area has increased markedly, while coniferous forest area has decreased. Since the Quercus forest provides rich food sources for the wild boar, the enlargement of this forest type is expected to increase the wild boar population. The forests located at high elevations have high species diversity, and it is expected that these forests will be greatly affected by the increase in the wild boar population as preferred feeding grounds.

Highlights

The growing wild boar population has become a social issue and its feeding characteristics could affect the physical condition and the plant species composition in the South Korean forests
Odaesan National Park was composed of Quercus forests (58%), Pinus–Quercus mixed forests (10%), and other deciduous forests (9%) (Han et al 2014), while Quercus mongolica stands were the most dominant forest type in Jeombongsan (KNA 2014)
Q. mongolica, among species of genus Quercus, dominated both areas, but Q. serrata occurred at valley-side and foothill areas, and Q. variabilis was found at dry foothill areas

Summary

Introduction

The growing wild boar population has become a social issue and its feeding characteristics could affect the physical condition and the plant species composition in the South Korean forests. The wild boar has damaged the agricultural product since 1970, but it advances into the urban area and threatens urban living. It has become a social issue, and the wild boar is designated as a big game animal by the Ministry of Environment in South Korea (Ministry of Environment 2010). The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a mammal, which is widely distributed throughout the world and has a very wide range of habitats (IUCN 2008). It is distributed in mountainous and hilly areas throughout South Korea (NIBR 2017). It is classified into scrofa, cristatus, leucomystax, and vittatus subspecies groups depending on the size and shape of this species

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