The Impact of Biometeorological, Demographic, and Ecological Factors on the Population Density of Wild Boar in Slovakia

Martina Gočárová (), Nina Moravčíková, Ladislav Molnár, Martin Fik and Radovan Kasarda ()
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Martina Gočárová: Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Nina Moravčíková: Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Ladislav Molnár: Clinic of Birds, Exotic and Free Living Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
Martin Fik: Institute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Radovan Kasarda: Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-20

Abstract: This study examined the factors influencing wild boar population density in Slovakia from 2013 to 2023, focusing on biometeorological, demographic, and ecological variables. Linear regression models were used to analyze spring population figures and the number of hunted animals across eight self-governing regions. Following the African swine fever outbreak in 2019, population dynamics changed significantly. The number of wild boars hunted increased while population densities decreased, particularly in the Presov, Kosice, and Banska Bystrica regions. Biometeorological factors, including monthly air temperature and precipitation, significantly influenced wild boar density at the national level, with soil temperature at a 5 cm depth playing a key role regionally. Demographic factors, such as road network and human population densities, also impacted wild boar populations, with road network density being the most important. Ecological factors, including the presence of brown hares, common pheasants, and grey wolves, had varying effects across regions. Grey wolf predation and interspecies competition were particularly significant in mountainous, less urbanized areas. The joint influence of biometeorological and demographic factors was higher in regions affected by African swine fever. This study highlights the complex interactions between environmental, demographic, and ecological factors and provides insights into more effective wildlife management strategies aimed at the sustainable management of wild boar populations. It advocates for a regionally tailored, integrated approach that considers the influence of biometeorological, demographic, and ecological factors, while also addressing the risks associated with epidemics, such as African swine fever.

Keywords: African swine fever; competition relationship; environmental factors; hunting sustainability; predation pressure; wild boar (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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