Abstract
Background and Purpose: Animal migrations are a direct result of reproduction, behaviour characteristics, predators, population density, disturbance, loss of habitat, climatic, vegetational and nutritional factors. The availability and accessibility of natural food in winter months is dependent on snow cover. The main objective of this study was to determine the migrational activities of red deer and to examine the dependency between migrations and climatic factors. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in the northwest Dinarid mountains, i.e. in the western part of Gorski Kotar region, which represents a large integral forest complex, distinctive due to its significant vertical drops, diverse relief characteristics and habitat conditions. Data on red deer migrations was collected over a 12 year period from hunting records, gamekeeper logs and records from game counting and monitoring. Results and Conclusions: The results of the macroclimatic analysis show a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the monitored weather stations in the study area. The Klana site stood out as the most appropriate red deer winter habitat, based on climatic conditions. Climatic conditions play a key role in seasonal red deer migrations or non-migrations. The Crni Lug site was assessed to be the least favourable due to macroclimatic conditions (snow depth).
Highlights
Red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) is a common game animal in both the coastal and mountainous parts of the northwestern Dinarid mountain range (Gorski Kotar region) of Croatia, including areas near the Slovenian border
Based on many years of experience in monitoring red deer activities in the study area, activities related to the start of the seasonal migration, it can be assumed that climate conditions, such as snow cover depth and duration, represent the main factor influencing migrations
When considering the number of days with snow depth ≥50 cm, there was a significant difference between the Klana site, which represents the red deer winter habitat, and the inland sections of the western part of Gorski Kotar region from where red deer game usually migrates
Summary
Red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) is a common game animal in both the coastal and mountainous parts of the northwestern Dinarid mountain range (Gorski Kotar region) of Croatia, including areas near the Slovenian border. In the latter half of the 19th century, red deer almost completely vanished from this area, but was quickly reintroduced in Slovenia [1]. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in the northwest Dinarid mountains, i.e. in the western part of Gorski Kotar region, which represents a large integral forest complex, distinctive due to its significant vertical drops, diverse relief characteristics and habitat conditions. The Crni Lug site was assessed to be the least favourable due to macroclimatic conditions (snow depth)
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