GAUDIOSO,V.R.;
SÁNCHEZ, C.; PRIETO, R.; BARTOLOMÉ, D.J.; PÉREZ, J.A.; ALONSO, M.E.
(2010). Small game water troughs in a Spanish
agrarian pseudo steppe: visits and water site choice by wild fauna. European Journal of Wildlife Research 56:591-599.
ABSTRACT
This paper studies the
visits of wild fauna, the influence of vegetal cover and fencing at water site
election, and consumption tendency in water troughs designed for small game
species distributed in an agricultural Mediterranean area during the summers
from 2002 to 2005. Red-legged partridges (Alectoris
rufa), lagomorphs (Oryctolagus
cuniculus, Lepus granatensis),
and other autochthonous species (birds and wild canids) visited water sources
throughout the study. The number of visits by target species was higher than
nongame. Lagomorphs preferred protected troughs (with surrounding vegetal
cover) while partridges opted for open ones (without cover). Fencing had no
effect on the visits of birds and lagomorphs, but it did reduce the visits of
wild canids. Harsh climatic conditions determined an increase in water
consumption in summer. Before designing a water trough device for this fauna,
managers should consider that (1) target and non-target species could try to
make use of it, (2) water points should be adapted to target species self protection,
(3) fencing can prevent undesirable visitors (particularly predators), and (4)
water requirements increase in the harsh moments of the dry season.
Keywords: Alectoris
rufa. Lagomorphs. Open. Protected. Water troughs.
doi:
10.1007/s10344-009-0352-6