Evolución poblacional de la liebre ibérica (Lepus granatensis Rosenhauer, 1856) en el Parque Nacional de Doñana.

The density and relative abundance index (IKA: hares/km) of the Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) was studied in Doñana National Park (DNP) in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 in the main 4 plant communities of DNP (ecotone zone –Vera-, lowland marshland, highland marshland and transition low-high marshland). During the 4 year study period there has been an alternate cycle of drought and flooding. The first study year (1995) was the last one of a long (5 year) drought period (1991-1995). 1996 and 1997 were very wet (the wettest in the last 26 years). In 1998 a new drought period started again. A total of 294,9 km were census and 306 hares were counted. The global observed Ika was 1,04 hares/km. Significant differences were observed in IKA between years and plant communities. After a high abundance index period (1995) a high intensity marshland flooding in 1996 and 1997 produce a fast decline in the hare population density. During the following years a recolonization process was observed. Finally, a regulation model for the hares is proposed an the results are discussed according the proposal hypothesis.