The population dynamics of the grey partridge in Flanders

Details

The partridge population in Europe has declined sharply in recent decades. While a decline in chick survival and in suitable breeding habitats were at the root of the initial decline, more recently several other factors may contribute to the further decline of the species. Over-hunting also poses a real threat, with a higher risk in areas with low population density, such as Flanders. This project has a duration of four years and aims at modelling the population dynamics of partridge, based on population characteristics from Flanders. The lack of these Flemish parameters, in particular chick survival, breeding hen survival and winter survival, is still an important knowledge gap. Determination of these parameters is only possible through transmitter research. An important part of this project includes fieldwork for the monitoring of partridges carrying a transmitter. The other part of this project includes population modelling to evaluate the impact of the different factors influencing population dynamics in the Flemish landscape. In this way a targeted and optimal deployment of management measures is possible. The transmitter research should also help to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented management measures.

Status	Running
Actual start/end date	31/12/2019 - 30/12/2024

Teams

• Wildlife Management and Invasive Species
• Biometry, Methodology and Quality Assurance

INBO Research theme(s)

• Protected nature
• Wildlife management
• Agriculture