Identification and analysis of areas prone to conflict with wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the vineyards of Malayer County, western Iran

Abstract

Boars with high reproduction, wide distribution, and adaptability have great potential to conflict with human interests. Malayer County, in Hamedan Province, is one of the economic hubs of grape production and related products in Iran. Considering that the county's economic growth is based on this horticultural product, this study was conducted to detect conflict-prone areas in different land use/cover (LULC) types and landforms. The ensemble model of attack risk was developed using single tree and regression models and 10 topographic, vegetation, and human variables. The significant difference between conflict/non-conflict points in the LULC and landform maps was checked using the Chi-square test. The results showed a significant difference in the occurrence of conflict in different LULC classes (P < 0.05). The NDVI, the distance from spring, and the distance from vineyards were the three variables with the greatest effect in all models. The widest niche-breadth conflict in the LULC and landform types belonged to gardens and u-shaped valleys (B1 = 0.60, B2 = 0.95; B1 = 0.35, B2 = 0.91, respectively Those gardens in deeply incised streams and u-shaped valleys have the highest potential for conflict (65.68%). Based on the findings, in the event of a conflict, those arrangements of structural elements of the land landscape are effective, which increase the species' accessibility to the vineyards while providing security. In this study, long and permanent vegetation such as groves can increase the vulnerability of marginal orchards and agricultural lands. Programs to reduce the conflict with wild boars should be based on local adaptations, prey relations, the improvement of traditional cultivation, and securing the vineyards in Malayer County.