Evaluation of wild boar (Sus scrofa) managemental practices on damages in agricultural land of hunting grounds and proposal of solution

Jan Sedlačík

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

In the last years, concern over wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations has grown as a result of their effects on ecosystems and agriculture. In Central Europe, particularly in the Výprachtice region, managing wild boar populations has become critical for mitigating damage and ensuring sustainable coexistence between wildlife and humans. Despite the efforts made to monitor and regulate wild boar populations, a knowledge gap persists regarding the performance of adequate management strategies and the underlying population dynamics and lack of data-keeping methods. We address this gap by using a linear regression model to examine the data regarding wild boar hunting bag and identify trends in wild boar population increase. The study reflects the same trend as an increase in wild boar populations in the Czech Republic, aligning it with observations from the Výprachtice hunting grounds, highlighting the need for effective mitigating techniques. Furthermore, the study suggests that collaborative management measures involving both hunters and agricultural stakeholders are necessary to effectively manage wild boar populations and mitigate damages. The research shows that implementing a strip gaps technique in monocultures in Výprachtice hunting grounds leads to positive effects in wild boar damage mitigation, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges posed by wild boar populations. It emphasizes the major impact of human activities such as hunting and land use on wild boar dynamics, pointing out the importance of adaptive management measures considering both ecological and socioeconomic aspects. The proposed novel crop introduction to deterrent damages and sharing of mutual good practice examples from Brazil, where wild boars were introduced, might be inspirative and predictive to be incorporated to wild boar management decision process. Further data collection, introduction of a new methods of wild boar monitoring and control are necessary worldwide and in Výprachtice as well.

Keywords

agricultural losses, climate change, compensation, crop damage, overpopulation, soil deterioration, wildlife management

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 20. 4. 2024

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 29. 5. 2024
• Supervisor: Ing. Radim Kotrba, Ph.D.
• Reader: Daniel Bureš, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Bachelor programme:
International Cooperation in Agricultural and Rural Development