Hunting and the fate of French breeding waterbirds

Capsule French breeding populations of hunted waterbirds have more negative long-term population trends than closely related non-hunted species. Aims To assess the relative fate of breeding populations of hunted and non-hunted waterbird species in France. Methods We compared long-term population growth rates of hunted versus non-hunted waterbirds using two large-scale and long-term national surveys. Results Waterbirds globally displayed long-term increases in population sizes most likely driven by their positive response to the implementation of numerous protected areas over remnant wetlands across the country since the early 1970s. In contrast, hunted species revealed more negative trends compared to non-hunted species. Conclusion A causal relationship between hunting and population dynamics is not demonstrated here, but the results are consistent with species' breeding populations being negatively affected, on average, if they are hunted.