Get out from my field! The role of agricultural crops in shaping the habitat selection by and suitability for the crested porcupine in Central Italy

Abstract

‘Agricultural pests’ is a locution used to indicate those wild species considered as dangerous to crops. The crested porcupine Hystrix cristata is a semi–fossorial rodent considered as one of the main agricultural pests by farmers in Italy. Assessing the role of agriculture in shaping the porcupine’s space use is of great importance to develop proper management and conservation strategies. The goal of this study was to quantify the degree of habitat selection by and suitability for porcupines in Central Italy to assess the potential influence of agricultural fields on the ecology of this rodent. The habitat suitability analysis was realized using presence–only data implemented in the MAXENT Software, while the habitat selection analysis was carried out using the Jacobs’ selectivity index. Our research revealed that croplands have an important role in the overall habitat suitability for porcupines. However, during the warm period, all habitats were used according to their availability. Conversely, orchards, vineyards, and olive groves were preferred during the cold period. Our findings suggest that the use of agricultural crops in accordance with their availability during the warm season and the preference shown for orchards, vineyards, and olive groves during the cold one, highlight that porcupine–famer negative interactions may occur in the area. The implementation of proper prevention measures is therefore strongly suggested, especially during the cold period, to reduce the potential impacts on agriculture.