Where have all the hares gone? – The decline of the European hare (Lepus europaeus ) in Basel-Landschaft from 1960 to 1989

The population of the European hare (Lepus europaeus ) has declined throughout Europe and Switzerland in recent decades. Frequently predators, intensification of agriculture, and sometimes, unfavourable weather are blamed for this decline, but the extent of the different factors is unclear. This study seeks to clarify the main factors of the decline in Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland, and provide a corresponding weighting of the significant factors.