Mule deer density and pattern distribution in the pine-oak forest at the Sierra de La Laguna in Baja California Sur, Mexico

Abstract

The study of the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus peninsulae) population was carried out in the relict pine-oak forest of the Sierra de La Laguna in Baja California Sur, Mexico, from July 1987 to March 1989, in order to evaluate the population density with pellet group surveys done in six permanent transects, in July and November 1987, March, June and November 1988, and March 1989. It was found that the distribution of pellet groups is aggregated with a negative binomial pattern (Chi-squared goodness of fit test were not significant P>0.05) and k values varied from 0.96 (July 1987) to 0.22 (November 1988). This pattern is probably due to social factors as well as habitat preference (habitat heterogeneity). There were no differences in pellet-group counts between transects (F=1.25, P>0.05), although there were significant differences between seasons (F = 5.4, P<0.01). The density average estimated was 0.37 ±0.05 deer/ha. The mule deer population seems stable, but the fragility of this habitat, that is considered as a relict pine-oak forest with many endemics, make it potentially fragile to possible future changes.