Abstract
BackgroundPredation may potentially lead to negative effects on both prey (directly via predators) and predators (indirectly via human persecution). Predation pressure studies are, therefore, of major interest in the fields of theoretical knowledge and conservation of prey or predator species, with wide ramifications and profound implications in human-wildlife conflicts. However, detailed works on this issue in highly valuable –in conservation terms– Mediterranean ecosystems are virtually absent. This paper explores the predator-hunting conflict by examining a paradigmatic, Mediterranean-wide (endangered) predator-two prey (small game) system.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe estimated the predation impact (‘kill rate’ and ‘predation rate’, i.e., number of prey and proportion of the prey population eaten, respectively) of Bonelli's eagle Aquila fasciata on rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus and red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa populations in two seasons (the eagle's breeding and non-breeding periods, 100 days each) in SE Spain. The mean estimated kill rate by the seven eagle reproductive units in the study area was c. 304 rabbits and c. 262 partridges in the breeding season, and c. 237 rabbits and c. 121 partridges in the non-breeding period. This resulted in very low predation rates (range: 0.3–2.5%) for both prey and seasons.Conclusions/SignificanceThe potential role of Bonelli's eagles as a limiting factor for rabbits and partridges at the population scale was very poor. The conflict between game profitability and conservation interest of either prey or predators is apparently very localised, and eagles, quarry species and game interests seem compatible in most of the study area. Currently, both the persecution and negative perception of Bonelli's eagle (the ‘partridge-eating eagle’ in Spanish) have a null theoretical basis in most of this area.
Highlights
Predation is one of the most frequent multi-species interactions in natural systems [1], very little is still known about its ecological consequences and, no consensus has been reached about its potential as a limiting factor
It seems irrefutable that, at least under certain circumstances, predators are capable of notably exerting an influence on the population dynamics of their prey species
An understanding of the limiting potential that predators exert on their prey must be supported by profound knowledge of the predation impact
Summary
Predation is one of the most frequent multi-species interactions in natural systems [1], very little is still known about its ecological consequences and, no consensus has been reached about its potential as a limiting factor. Further illegal hunting and poisoning of predators has continued until the present-day [21,22] Such human pressure implies serious concerns as it has been shown to affect the largescale spatio-temporal population dynamics of high conservation value species (e.g., [23]). [3]) of Bonelli’s eagle on rabbit and partridge populations during two periods (the eagle’s breeding and non-breeding seasons) This was performed in a typically Mediterranean habitat in SE Spain for the ultimate purpose of being able to contribute to the design of ecologically-based strategies that reconcile the conservation of raptors and game species with game management in such environments
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