Harriers in North Rhine -Westphalia: A struggle for survival between hunting and agriculture!

Harriers in North Rhine -Westphalia: A struggle for survival between hunting and agriculture!

in the district of Euskirchen, the population of the field harbor (Lepus Europaeus) has fortunately stabilized in recent years after the species in the past has threatened with extinction. As ksta.de currently live on average 29 rabbits per square kilometer, which is above the nationwide average of 19 rabbits. The growth in North Rhine-Westphalia is 15.2 percent, which is well above the German average of 8 percent.

base bunnies need a structurally rich landscape with many retreats and are particularly common in open landscapes such as meadows, fields and hedges. These habitats, which are often characterized by agricultural activities, offer both food and protection. The rabbits are herbivorous and need a variety of plants such as grasses, herbs and bark. Your reproduction requires retreats; That is why they use flat hollows in the grass and do not build nests.

Influence of agriculture and predators

Intensive agriculture has a significant impact on the habitats of the field hares. In the past, insecticides and pesticides caused massive declines of the populations. The use of larger machines in agriculture can also endanger the safety of the rabbits. In NRW, however, there are now grants for fallow land and edge strips that are not managed.

An important aspect of protecting the field haquetics is the hunt for predators such as foxes, marten and raven crows. While the fox hunting is considered important, their effect is limited because new foxes quickly move up. In contrast, an intensive predatory game hunting is mentioned as advantageous for the field rabbit. Even if the population is stable, road traffic is a serious danger, as well as diseases such as myxomatosis that increasingly contribute to the threat.

climate change and future challenges

In addition to the threats mentioned above, climate change ensures extreme weather conditions that negatively influence the habitats of the trimmings. These factors take the habitats the habitats he needs for its reproduction and food intake. Therefore, protective measures such as the promotion of sustainable agriculture and the creation of protected areas are essential.

bunnies are twilight and nocturnal, which helps you to escape predators. You can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h to protect yourself from predators. These fascinating animals are not only important for nature, but also an indicator of healthy ecosystems. It is therefore important that the population develops awareness of the protection of fields and its habitats.