Using an online survey to assess the spatial distribution of wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) crop damage and factors influencing this distribution and severity in Limburg province, Belgium

Abstract

Wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) reappeared in Flanders (northern Belgium) in 2006 after almost half a century of absence. Interactions between wild boar and human activities are frequent due to extensive fragmentation of the landscape in Flanders. Complaints about agricultural damage are increasing but the actual extent of crop damage remains unknown. The goal of this study was to assess the current risk and the spatial distribution of crop damage, as well as factors influencing damage distribution in the province of Limburg (eastern Flanders). An online survey was sent to farmers by email. Moreover, as we expected potential respondent bias towards farmers that already experienced damage, we also conducted a follow-up non-respondent check by telephone. Our study showed that the current crop damage probability on a farm lies between 42% (likely an overestimation due to respondent bias in the online survey) and 22% (an underestimation based on the non-respondent check). There is considerable geographical variation in the proportion of farms that report boar damage; probability for crop damage due to wild boar is relatively high for farmers in Limburg but shows a geographically heterogeneous spread. Factors explaining the crop damage probability differed strongly between the online survey and the non-respondent check and no consistent results could be found. Our results show that using the online survey, it was possible to get an initial insight in the geographical distribution of crop damage. However, as we found differences between the results of the online survey and the non-respondent check, taking management decisions based solely on online survey results without conducting a non-respondent check could lead to misguided actions.

Agricultural and landscape factors related to increasing wild boar agricultural damage in a highly anthropogenic landscape

“…We selected a study area of approximately 1000 km 2 in the province of Limburg (Fig. 1) where farmers often reported damage in an earlier survey (Rutten et al 2019).…”

“…This lack of data does not allow to assess the actual extent nor the potential extent of crop damage with future wild boar expansion. As these data are an essential aspect in a risk assessment involving stakeholder acceptance, we urgently need better insights into what attracts wild boar to specific fields or grasslands where they cause damage (Rutten et al 2019).…”

Assessing agricultural damage by wild boar using drones

“…The distribution of wild boar in Flanders was largely limited to the eastern province of Limburg and some eastern municipalities in the province of Antwerp (Scheppers et al ). In Limburg, the area where most damages were reported by farmers was selected based on the results of an online survey (Rutten et al, unpublished data; Fig. ).…”