Identifying wild boar (Sus scrofa) crop damage hotspots to mitigate human-wild boar conflicts in northern Iran

Abstract

Conflict between wild boars and humans, and the ensuing economic losses has been a global challenge for government authorities and conservation biologists for over a decade. Understanding the interplay of ecological and anthropogenic factors driving human–wild boar conflicts is paramount for formulating effective strategies to address this challenge. This study employed species distribution modeling (SDM) to predict the extent and distribution of wild boar damage risk in Taleghan, Iran, where crop cultivation and livestock rearing represent the primary livelihood activities for the local communities. Our analyses revealed that 7.7 % of the overall study area is at high risk of wild boar crop damage. The area of high risk is proportionally smaller in the no-hunting zone (1.6 %) compared to the non-protected zone (14.8 %). Also, the areas at high risk were significantly lower within the no-hunting (1200 ha) area than in non-protected area (9500 ha). The most important determinants of the occurrence of high wild boar damage are presence of orchards (30.7 %), rangeland density (24.4 %), distance to human settlements (19.4 %), and slope (10.7 %). This study successfully mapped wild boar damage risk in northern Iran. The results suggest that areas with gentle slopes, heterogeneous landscapes featuring dense vegetation (i.e., orchards and rangelands) and human settlements with sparse road networks are at the highest risk of wild boar damage. The resulting map of conflict hotspots offers a concise visualization of conflict patterns across the landscape, facilitating prioritization and development of conflict mitigation measures for areas that require immediate attention.