Effects of hunting management on the summer abundance of red-legged partridge in Spain

Abstract

We studied whether hunting management techniques currently used in Central Spain affect the summer abundance of red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) or the young/adult ratio (as a measure of productivity). We studied 44 non-intensive hunting estates between 2006 and 2009, recording management through personal interviews and using field surveys (point count method) to record partridge abundance and habitat data. We modelled abundance with a mixed model (lmer R function), with “year” as a random variable, and artificial supplementation of food and water, predator control, releasing and harvest intensity as explanatory variables, together with habitat variables (to account for habitat variations among estates). We found a positive relationship between summer partridge abundance and artificial ponds. We detected no relationship between partridge abundance and fox control, but a significant positive relationship with magpie control (although the effect on partridge abundance was very small). We did not find any relationship between abundance and the releasing of farm-bred partridges. When the young/adult ratio was added as a covariate to the previous model, this variable had a big effect on abundance, the previous relationships with ponds and magpie control remained, and a negative relationship appeared between partridge abundance and harvest intensity. Young/adult ratio was significantly related to artificial ponds and habitat diversity. Our results show that habitat management is crucial to raise red-legged partridge availability in summer, whereas releases and fox control appear to be ineffective.