Acorn production cycles found to influence wild boar populations

According to a study published in The American Naturalist on January 6, 2023, sequences of environmental events over time influence population dynamics in wild species. A research team led by Marlène Gamelon, a researcher at the CNRS, has studied the influence of sequences of oak mast seeding events over the years on a population of wild boars, which are major consumers of acorns.

Researchers simulated several acorn production cycles and focused their attention on two extreme scenarios: one consisting of alternating years of low and high acorn production, and a second where production is similar from year to year. The team observed that the first scenario, consisting of alternating years of low and high production, appears to contribute to an increase in wild boar populations. In this case, biennial episodes of acorn production coincide with the generation time of wild boar—the average reproductive age of mothers in this population (i.e., two years).

This correlation between acorn production cyclicality and generation time has a positive impact on wild boar population growth over time. In the context of global warming, warm and dry springs are expected to favor this type of acorn production in the autumn, with trees alternating between years of production and rest. This study highlights the importance of considering sequences of environmental conditions in order to understand and predict wild population outcomes.