Research Group 1: Evolutionary Ecology

The European brown hare project in Brodowin (Schorfheide-Chorin)

In collaboration with the "Naturschutzhof Brodowin" the IZW takes part in an

investigation of home range and habitat use of the brown hare in organically farmed land.

This project is part of a study financed by the German agency for nature conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz). The aim of the study is the establishment of suitable long-term living conditions for wild flora and fauna on farmland by adjusting and optimising organic practices of agricultural land management and landscape structures. The study is carried out on farmland of the Demeter farm "Ökodorf Brodowin GmbH".
The brown hare has been chosen as a focal animal because it is a typical inhabitant of open farmland and thought to be sensitive to changes in agricultural land use. Night counts revealed a population density of 13-17 hares per km² in October 2001. Since then the numbers have continuously increased. The most recent night counts revealed density estimates of approximately 30 hares per km².
In October 2003, several hares were caught (capturing of hares) and equipped with radio-collars. Since then the hares have been located by regular radio tracking during the day and at night and repeatedly observed. Monitoring of individual movements will be intensified during the reproductive season and during periods when agricultural work is carried out.

Capture of hares in October 2003:

Hares were caught with the support of Dr. Jaroslav Slamecka and members of the Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra, Republic of Slovakia, and numerous helpers. In a joint effort, we set up special capture nets that are very long (2 km) and made of three layers of netting material. Many helpers drove the hares into nets.
Behind the net, other helpers waited to extract an entangled hare as fast as possible. The animal was then put into a special box where it stayed until it was processed. Each hare was rapidly weighed, individually marked and fitted with a lightweight small radio collar. Finally, each hare was released at the site of its capture and monitored to ensure that it was fine.

Monitoring and Observation:

 Since October 2003, the radio-tagged hares have been located frequently. A special receiver with a directional antenna is used. At least two different bearings are necessary to determine the location of the animal. Radio tracking is done during daytime when hares usually rest in their forms as well as at night when they are active and often feed in small groups on the fields and pastures of the Demeter farm.