Rapid population response to a hunting ban in a previously overharvested, threatened landbird

Abstract

Empirical data are essential to assess the outcomes of management decisions in the context of adaptive management. We used flyway-level population indices of a declining game bird to assess population changes after introducing hunting management measures as part of the European Union (EU)-wide Adaptive Harvest Management mechanism (AHMM). In one flyway, a full hunting ban led to the start of population recovery; numbers increased by 25% in 2 years and the 10-year population trend improved from “moderate decline” to “stable.” In the other flyway, harvest was only reduced (allegedly by 60% although statistics from key countries were incomplete), and numbers continued to fall (−15% decline). Our study shows positive results of the leading AHMM for a landbird in Europe and provides empirical evidence of the speed of population response and the timeframe needed for change to occur and to be detected. It showcases the successful application of policy mechanisms underpinned by science.