Directing wild boar behaviour through food−based baiting to increase suppression of <em>Prunus serotina</em> Ehrh. regeneration

The invasive black cherry <em>Prunus serotina</em> poses a significant threat to European forest ecosystems, altering species composition and hindering native regeneration. Traditional control methods, including mechanical removal and chemical herbicides, are often costly, labour−intensive, or environmentally restrictive. This study evaluates a novel, behaviour−based approach to suppress <em>P. serotina</em> regeneration by directing wild boar <em>Sus scrofa</em> foraging activity using maize <em>Zea mays</em> as a food attractant. Experiments were conducted across six forest compartments in the Jarocin and Poddębice Forest Districts of Poland, with 180 plots assigned to maize treatment or control. Maize application aimed to concentrate rooting and trampling behaviour in plots heavily populated with <em>P. serotina</em> seedlings. Over a four−week intensive monitoring period, seedling density and survival were recorded, alongside wildlife activity using motion−triggered cameras. Maizetreated plots exhibited rapid and substantial reductions in seedling density, with mean retention dropping to 38.5% at the study endpoint, whereas control plots showed no significant change. Statistical analysis confirmed highly significant differences between treatments. Effectiveness varied spatially, correlating with local wild boar abundance; the Poddębice Forest District, with higher <em>S. scrofa</em> density, experienced near−total seedling suppression, whereas lower boar presence in Jarocin led to more moderate reductions. These findings demonstrate that food−based behavioural targeting can harness natural foraging patterns to enhance invasive species management. The method offers an environmentally neutral, low−labour alternative that targets early life stages of <em>P. serotina</em>. While context−dependent and limited by factors such as wild boar density and habitat features, this approach provides a promising addition to integrated control strategies. Future research should assess long−term persistence, optimal timing of attractant deployment, and potential integration with conventional control.