Ecology of the European Wild Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), in Mediterranean Habitats. I. Distribution in the Landscape of the Coto Donana, S. Spain

Abstract

(1) The distribution pattern of the European wild rabbit in the Reserva Biologica de Donana is described in relation to an objective landscape analysis of the study area. (2) The landscape consists of three principal sand dune land systems, the youngest of which is still forming, lying between the Atlantic Ocean and the alluvial deltaic plain of the Rio Guadalquivir, Las Marismas. The climate is one of hot dry summers and mild wet winters. Las Marismas and smaller border areas of the sandy land systems form seasonal marshes each winter. (3) Rabbits are distributed discontinuously and are concentrated near moist grassland areas near borders of land systems. (4) Detailed distribution patterns in apparently favourable and unfavourable areas showed that rabbits thrive best where sand ridges suitable for warren building interdigitate or abut moist feeding grounds. (5) It is suggested that the dynamics of distribution and numbers superimposed on objective landscape analysis allows sensible wildlife management decisions to be taken in the absence of more detailed parametric study.