Population density of medium- and large-sized mammals in the Alfina Plateau, central Italy

Monitoring mammal population densities is essential for understanding ecological trends and informing conservation strategies. However, reliable density estimates remain limited and unevenly distributed, as they are financially and logistically demanding. This study aimed to estimate the population density of medium- and large-sized mammal species in the Alfina plateau, an agricultural landscape located in central Italy with little available information on species density. The research, conducted between April and July of 2024, involved the deployment of 17 camera traps in a 1701-hectares. We estimated population density for six mammal species using the Random Encounter Model (REM): European badger, martens ( Martes spp.), porcupine, red fox, roe deer, and wild boar. Our estimates ranged from 1.18 ind./km² for the red foxes to 12.25 ind./km² for the roe deer. Our findings provide baseline data for mammal densities in the region, which can serve as a reference for future studies and assist in local wildlife management and conservation efforts. These results also offer valuable insights into species abundance in Mediterranean ecosystems, where comprehensive mammal density data is often limited, and they could be included in databases for ecological studies at a global scale.