PROGRAMME

In general, the European Wild Rabbit (WR) (Oryctolagus cuniculus) plays a key role in the ecological stability of natural areas, as it could perform various ecosystem processes and become a major prey for many predators. Nevertheless, in many areas, specific local ecological conditions may favor the growth of WR population, turning it into a “parasite”, causing considerable damage to crops and natural ecosystems. In this study, we estimated the distribution of the WR population of Lemnos island, Greece using time series data of the Hellenic Agricultural Insurance Organization (ELGA), based on an 11-year (period 2011-2021) spatiotemporal analysis of the damaged crop types and areas. This crop loss provided a better comprehension of the WR food choices as they have been specialized to local conditions, combined with its population’s spatial response to environmental changes and human activities, especially agricultural ones. Results showed a high density of WR population on the northeast part of the island, mainly in cultivated areas, near natural habitats and preferably within a distance from villages and small settlements. These findings have highlighted the WR ability to adapt its food choices based on local crop production and could be used towards a better decomposition of the WR overpopulation problem on Lemnos island. The present research and the APC were funded by EPAnEk-NRSF 2014-2020; Operational Program “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Call 111 “Support of Regional Excellence” in the context of the implementation of the program: AGRICA II: AGrifood Research and Innovation Network of ExCellence of the Aegean, which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), MIS code: 5046750.