The population modelling of fallow deer and wild boar in a Mediterranean ecosystem

The population ecology of ungulates in Mediterranean ecosystems is as yet poorly documented. This study is based on 5-year counts of fallow deer (Dama dama) and wild boar (Sus scrofa). Since the counts of ungulates in woodlands are usually quite difficult, biased and unprecise, independent methods were used to check their reliability and estimates of the vital rates were derived from the field data. Age-structured models were constructed with environmental randomness and density-dependence for the wild boar, because this species seems to be more deeply influenced by environmental factors than fallow deer. For the former species, the study showed, by simulation, that a mixed harvesting policy (constant effort plus fixed escapement) may work better than other, more commonly used, approaches. The results presented here are relevant for management and conservation of wild ungulate populations in Italy and in other Mediterranean countries.