Effects of several plant species on the spatial distribution of the European hare (Lepus europaeus) at the microhabitat scale

The influence of three shrubby species (kermes oak – Quercus coccifera, Spanish broom – Spartium junceum and yellow kidney vetch – Anthyllis hermanniae) and three herbaceous (brusch grass – Chrysopogon gryllus, pineleaf pink – Dianthus pinifolius and common chicory – Cichorium intybus) on the European hare’s (Lepus europaeus) use of space at the microhabitat scale was investigated in a Mediterranean rangeland in northern Greece. The number of hares’ pellets in 0.5 m radius plots around and in 2 m distance from 10 individuals of each plant species was counted. In addition, the number of twigs (shrubs) and shoots (herbs) per individual bitten by the hare was also counted. Surprisingly, Spanish broom (Spartium junceum), a shrubby species which is rarely consumed and it is considered as nonpreferred for most of the herbivores, was the most often visited and browsed by the hare in relation to all the other plant species studied. These Spanish broom – hare interactions are innovative, and open new ways for a holistic rangeland management based on the regulation of hare’s use of space at the microhabitat scale, through the spatially distribution of specific plant species that provide food and shelter against predators. The evaluation of the hare’s grazing intensity and use of space could be based on the number of twigs/shoots bitten by this herbivore, which is a less laborious and time-consuming parameter to estimate in relation to the pellet-count one.