Habitat use and spatial patterns of wild boar Sus scrofa (L.): agricultural fields and edges

Rapidly increasing populations of wild boar in Sweden and Europe cause much damage to crops, and there is a critical need for more knowledge about their habitat utilization, especially of agricultural fields. In our study, we first assess the spatial pattern of damage in relation to the edges of agricultural fields. Next, with the aid of global positioning system collars, we studied the pattern of movement of wild boar on agricultural fields. Finally, in order to understand the role of agricultural fields, we studied how habitat selection may vary throughout the year. We found edge effects on damage patterns in agricultural fields. During winter and spring, we found wild boar not only to follow edges, but also to move along narrow landscape elements within agricultural fields. In our habitat analysis, we found strong avoidance of exposed agricultural fields throughout the year, but significantly less when crops are ripe.