The environmental impact of wild boars on forest soils has been quantified in a recent study conducted in the southeast of the Czech Republic, within a region protected by the Natura 2000 network. This analysis reveals how the activity of these animals is significantly altering the soil of areas with high ecological value.
The research focused on an area near Hodonín, covering 976 hectares characterized by sandy soils and oak forests, considered sensitive to drying. This site, designated as a Site of Community Importance and National Natural Monument, is a key example of how local fauna can influence habitat quality.
During the study, the researchers traversed the forest with an intensive sampling method, covering 129.8 kilometers of transects and finding 3,899 areas of soil disturbed by wild boars between 2022 and 2023. 10.93% of the soil was altered in 2022, decreasing to 7.95% in 2023, highlighting an impact notable for its magnitude.
Wild boars alter ecosystems
The study’s relevance lies in the change in wild boar density, which went from 60 individuals per square kilometer in 2022 to 35 in 2023. Despite this reduction, the effect per animal was greater in 2023, with each altering an average of 2.21 hectares, compared to 1.78 hectares the previous year.
This variation is attributed to the availability of food, as 2023 experienced a sharp reduction in acorns, following a 2022 with high production. Additionally, supplemental feeding with corn and cereals influences the concentration of wild boar activity.
The study details how rooting affects the soil ecosystem, hindering seed germination and affecting ecological processes such as nutrient cycling. In sandy soils, breaking the surface layer can expose the mineral soil, a particularly high risk in forests vulnerable to dryness.
As mitigation measures, the work suggests adjusting supplemental feeding to avoid concentrating activity in fragile soils and protecting critical areas with temporary fencing. It also emphasizes the importance of not feeding the fauna and reporting any significant soil alteration to area managers.
The complete study has been published in Springer Nature, providing an important reference for the management of protected areas affected by fauna.
