FECES COUNT AS AN INDEX OF FOX ABUNDANCE

Faeces were collected monthly along transects in 9 areas of the Pisa province, central Italy, from April 1992 to March 1993 (total km walked = 982). An index of fox abundance (n of faeces per km) was computed. It was negatively influenced by rainfall in the 20 days preceding the transect, but was unrelated to the percentage of plant material in the diet. Differences among areas (averages from 0.338 to 2.966 faeces per km) were significant (p < 0.0001) and consistent throughout the year. Faeces were randomly distributed along the transects. The index may therefore provide an efficient and inexpensive method to evaluate relative abundance of foxes, but comparisons should include only areas and periods with similar rainfall. Seasonal population fluctuations are not detectable. Best results may be obtained when rainfall in the 20 days preceding the transect did not exceed 50 mm.