The European hare as a hidden challenge for forest regeneration: common protection measures are ineffective

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00020702%3A_____%2F25%3AN0000099" target="_blank" >RIV/00020702:_____/25:N0000099 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/60460709:41320/25:102586 RIV/62156489:43410/25:43927630

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/forests-and-global-change/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1669069/full" target="_blank" >https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/forests-and-global-change/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1669069/full</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1669069" target="_blank" >10.3389/ffgc.2025.1669069</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

The European hare as a hidden challenge for forest regeneration: common protection measures are ineffective

Original language description

Forest management in Central Europe is affected by numerous biotic and abiotic factors, and wildlife damage to forest stands is one of the major ones. While damage to young forest stands is predominantly attributed to wild ungulates, the potential negative impact of the European hare (Lepus europaeus) on tree plantations has been largely overlooked. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify hare damage in comparison with ungulates, determine which developmental stages of trees are most attractive to hares, compare browsing preferences among key commercial species, and assess the effectiveness of commonly used protection measures. We evaluated 209 calamity clearcuts with 75,912 seedlings to determine the proportion and structure of browsing damage. Research revealed a substantial proportional damage caused by the European hare, accounting for 10.12%, while wild ungulates were responsible for 7.11% of browsing damage. The species distribution played a crucial role in the damage rate. Hares caused the greatest browsing damage on silver birch (Betula pendula-37%), while ungulates preferred Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris-29%). Moreover, browsing intensity caused by hares was seasonally affected with a significantly higher damage ratio in autumn (<14%) compared to the spring season (<2%) when clearcuts offer enough alternative fodder opportunities. Common protection measures, such as coating and fencing, proved largely ineffective against hare browsing. Surprisingly, sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) were more heavily damaged by hares when coated than unprotected seedlings. The results showed that the European hare plays a crucial role in clear-cut reforestation, highlighting the need for enhanced focus on protective measures, including population management and the use of specialized fencing made of dense wire mesh compared to the usual protection against wild ungulates.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

40102 - Forestry

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change

ISSN

2624-893X

e-ISSN

2624-893X

Volume of the periodical

8

Issue of the periodical within the volume

OCT 30 2025

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

15

Pages from-to

1669069

UT code for WoS article

001615571600001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105021823626