Habitat preferences of game animals in two selected hunting grounds in the Sava River basin in Croatia

Composition, distribution and suitability of habitats for managing game species was analyzed and compared for two selected hunting grounds in the Sava River basin floodplain in Croatia. The first is III/28 “Posavina Forests” (surface of 14.071 ha), and the second is XII/107 “Garčin” (7.496 ha). Anthropogenic impact on landscape and biodiversity is stronger in “Garčin” since 65% of habitats belong into class of cultivated land. In “Posavina Forests” the percentage of these habitats is 23%. Comparison of forests habitats showed higher value (57%) in “Posavina Forests” while in “Garčin” it is 28%. Forest habitats comprise mainly deciduous mixed forests of pedunculate oak and common hornbeam ; pedunculate oak, black alder and field ash forests. Patchy distribution of open, large agricultural surfaces with grasslands, thickets, forests and channels in “Garčin” hunting ground enables management of roe deer, the European hare and pheasant as the main hunting game. More forested „Posavina Forests“ hunting ground, with lack of open habitats, has good conditions for management of red deer, roe deer and wild boar. Negative impact of flooding is more frequent in the “Posavina Forests”. During some extreme events about 80% of the hunting ground can be flooded, which cause mortality and migration of game. Thus, the appropriate mitigation measures in game management needs to be planned.