The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) originated in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). From there, the Romans began breeding and transporting them to other regions of Europe and the Mediterranean around the 1st century B.C., recognising their value both as food and for their fur. Over time, rabbits were introduced to other parts of the world through colonisation and trade. In some places, such as Australia and New Zealand, they were deliberately introduced in the 19th century for hunting, but without their natural predators, rabbit populations spiralled out of control, becoming pests that severely affected local ecosystems.
Maybe you do not know but the rabbits play a crucial role in the balance of natural ecosystems. They are a key species in the food chain as prey for many predators. Without the rabbit, emblematic species such as Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) and the Iberian Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) might disappear since their abundance or scarcity has a direct effect on the viability of the populations of these predatory species. Nevertheless, their importance to the environment goes beyond their role as prey. They play an important function in the natural regulation of the vegetation. Rabbits are herbivores that feed on a wide variety of plants helping to the control of the excessive growth of certain plant species, which favours the diversity of vegetation. They also contribute to soil health by enriching it with nutrients and creating habitats for other species through their burrowing activities. Their droppings are rich in essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are beneficial to plants. In addition, their burrows help aerate the soil, improving its structure and facilitating the penetration of water and nutrients and creates microhabitats in their burrows, which can be used by other species such as insects, reptiles and small mammals. This promotes greater biological diversity in the ecosystems where they live. The presence or absence of rabbits in an ecosystem can be an indicator of environmental health. As they are sensitive to changes in habitat and environmental quality, their population can reflect the conservation status of an area. Rabbits are much more than cute little mammals; they are key players in the sustainability and balance of natural ecosystems. Protecting rabbits and their habitats is essential to maintaining biodiversity and the health of our planet.
Currently, the European rabbit is an important focal species in risk assessment; this makes it necessary to carry out field studies to assess the possible adverse effects of plant protection products on this species. At tier3 solutions, we are pleased to have an experimented team of professionals with extensive experience in the design and performing of these studies under GLP conditions throughout Europe, using different techniques including: day and night transects and point counts, several trapping methods, animal marking and radio tracking, among others.
For more information on lagormorph field studies contact us!
