Breeding success of red-legged partridges Alectoris rufa in relation to landscape mosaic

Red-legged partridge restocking is a common practice in hunting management in Italy, as the species has become very uncommon in its native range, mostly following habitat loss. Therefore, habitat suitability plays a key role in the successful Reintroduction and especially in the breeding success of this game species. A landscape mosaic can affect the persistence and the reproductive success of partridges. We performed spring and summer censuses, in two consecutive years, to investigate the reproductive success and possibility to increase density of red-legged partridges in the province of Massa-Carrara, following programmes of sustainable habitat management and the creation of landscape mosaic