Deer Habitat Use Research Articles

HABITAT-USE PATTERNS OF FLORIDA KEY DEER: IMPLICATIONS OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Urban development in the Florida Keys, USA, mandates an understanding of how habitat requirements for Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) interact with vegetation changes caused by development. Our study objectives were to (1) determine Key deer habitat use at different spatial scales, (2) evaluate vegetation changes and identify vegetation types most threatened by development, and (3) provide guidelines to direct land acquisition programs in the future. We identified 6 vegetation types: pineland, hammock, developed, freshwater marsh, buttonwood, and mangrove. Key deer (n = 180; 84 F, 96 M) preferred upland vegetation types (>1 m above mean sea level; pineland, hammock, developed) and avoided tidal or lower-elevation areas (<1 m above mean sea level; freshwater marsh, buttonwood, mangrove). Analyses of Geographic Information System (GIS) coverages suggested that historical development impacted near-shore habitats while recent trends pose a greater risk to upland areas (pineland, hammock). Because uplands are preferred by Key deer, conservation measures that include land acquisition and habitat protection of these areas may be needed.

Cervid forage utilization in noncommercially thinned ponderosa pine forests

To evaluate effects of noncommercial thinning, utilization of forages consumed by elk (Cervus elaphus L.), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus Raf.), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Raf.) was measured in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson) stands in Custer State Park, S. D. Treatments consisted of unthinned (control; 22 to 32 m2/ha basal area), moderately thinned (12 to 22 m2/ha basal area), and heavily thinned (3 to 13 m2/ha basal area) stands of ponderosa pine. During June, July, and August, 1991 and 1992, about 7,000 individual plants were marked along permanent transects and percent-weight-removed by grazing was ocularly estimated. Sample plots were established along transects and plants within plots were clipped to estimate standing biomass. Pellet groups were counted throughout the study area to determine summer habitat use of elk and deer. Diet composition was evaluated using microhistological analysis of fecal samples. Average percent-weight-removed from all marked plants and percent-plants-grazed were used to evaluate forage utilization. Standing biomass of graminoids, shrubs, and forbs increased (P < 0.05) from unthinned to moderately and heavily thinned stands. Utilization of graminoids and shrubs averaged less than 1% when measured as percent-weight-removed and percent-plants-grazed and did not differ (P > 0.05) across treatments. Forb use averaged less than 5% within sampling periods when measured as percent-weight-removed and percent-of-plants grazed and did not differ among treatments. Results of pellet group surveys indicated that cervids were primarily using meadow habitats. When averaged over the 2 years, forbs were the major forage class in deer diets, whereas graminoids were the major forage class in diets of elk.

Habitat selection by sympatric muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in a lowland commercial pine forest

Understanding deer habitat use is important in predictive management of increasing deer populations and in assessing the potential for inter-specific competition, particularly between native and introduced species. Habitat usage by roe deer and introduced Chinese muntjac was studied in a 1200 ha study area within Thetford Forest, a commercially managed coniferous forest in Eastern England. Habitat use was related to forest growth stage and vegetation composition by pellet-group clearance transects conducted every 2 months from March 2000 to March 2001. Higher densities of roe deer were found in young plantations, while muntjac numbers were lower in open restocks and grassy areas and higher in older stands and areas with greater cover of bramble Rubus fruticosa agg. Overall, muntjac showed greater habitat selectivity than roe deer. The overlap between the two species in use of individual stands (single, even-aged management compartments) was significantly lower than overlap in use of growth stages (consisting of many individual stands), suggesting ecological partitioning at finer spatial scales. However, overlap in habitat use as measured by Pianka’s index remained substantial at both scales (mean 0.40±0.16 S.D. for stands and 0.55±0.11 for growth stages). Habitat overlap was greatest in winter when both species aggregate on bramble. There is, therefore, potential for exploitation competition in the event of food scarcity.

The effects of hurricane Lothar on habitat use of roe deer

Hurricanes profoundly modify the structure of forests, affecting the habitat quality of forest dwelling ungulates. For browsers in European forests the effects are expected to be positive in the short-term due to increased availability of browse, but the data to test this prediction are rarely available. In this study, data on home ranges and habitat use were collected both before and after the passage of the hurricane Lothar for six female roe deer. Deer switched from using both coppice- and timber stands to living almost only in timber stands, where most of the damage occurred. Sizes of their home ranges declined sharply (on average by >50%). These results suggest that the effect of this winter hurricane was short-term improvement in the quality of deer habitat.

The effects of hurricane Lothar on habitat use of roe deer

Hurricanes profoundly modify the structure of forests, affecting the habitat quality of forest dwelling ungulates. For browsers in European forests the effects are expected to be positive in the short-term due to increased availability of browse, but the data to test this prediction are rarely available. In this study, data on home ranges and habitat use were collected both before and after the passage of the hurricane Lothar for six female roe deer. Deer switched from using both coppice- and timber stands to living almost only in timber stands, where most of the damage occurred. Sizes of their home ranges declined sharply (on average by >50%). These results suggest that the effect of this winter hurricane was short-term improvement in the quality of deer habitat.

Habitat selection by sympatric muntjac ( Muntiacus reevesi) and roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus) in a lowland commercial pine forest

Understanding deer habitat use is important in predictive management of increasing deer populations and in assessing the potential for inter-specific competition, particularly between native and introduced species. Habitat usage by roe deer and introduced Chinese muntjac was studied in a 1200 ha study area within Thetford Forest, a commercially managed coniferous forest in Eastern England. Habitat use was related to forest growth stage and vegetation composition by pellet-group clearance transects conducted every 2 months from March 2000 to March 2001. Higher densities of roe deer were found in young plantations, while muntjac numbers were lower in open restocks and grassy areas and higher in older stands and areas with greater cover of bramble Rubus fruticosa agg. Overall, muntjac showed greater habitat selectivity than roe deer. The overlap between the two species in use of individual stands (single, even-aged management compartments) was significantly lower than overlap in use of growth stages (consisting of many individual stands), suggesting ecological partitioning at finer spatial scales. However, overlap in habitat use as measured by Pianka’s index remained substantial at both scales (mean 0.40±0.16 S.D. for stands and 0.55±0.11 for growth stages). Habitat overlap was greatest in winter when both species aggregate on bramble. There is, therefore, potential for exploitation competition in the event of food scarcity.

Annual and seasonal habitat use of Columbian black-tailed deer in urban Vancouver, Washington

We investigated habitat use of Columbian black-tailed deer in urban Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, at 3 spatial scales: (1) placement of the annual home range within the landscape mosaic, (2) annual and seasonal locations of deer within the annual home range, and (3) short-term use of critical habitats (fawning areas) within seasonal ranges. Annual home range sizes of deer were 162 ha (SD = 133; 95% minimum convex polygon; MCP) and 266 ha (SD = 228; 95% adaptive kernel; AK) for does, and 756 ha (SD = 290; MCP) and 1,235 ha (SD = 382; AK) for bucks. Home range composition of does did not differ from the study area; home ranges of bucks contained more Natural ecological land-use cover types (ELUs) than did the study area. Within home ranges, both does and bucks used Natural ELUs more often than expected by their occurrence in the home range, both annually and seasonally. During the fawning season, does were also found in Natural ELUs more often than expected. Clark County-designated habitat corridors differed from both the study area and deer home ranges in habitat composition, primarily by containing more Natural and other undeveloped ELUs. Deer were located in habitat corridors more than expected. Deer in urban areas appear to use undeveloped habitat types for security. Management that maintains Natural ELUs, such as establishment of wildlife corridors, can provide important habitat components for black-tailed deer in urban habitats.

Cervid forage utilization in noncommercially thinned ponderosa pine forests

To evaluate effects of noncommercial thinning, utilization of forages consumed by elk (Cervus elaphus L.), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus Raf.), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Raf.) was measured in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P. C. Lawson) stands in Custer State Park, S. D. Treatments consisted of unthinned (control; 22 to 32 m2/ha basal area), moderately thinned (12 to 22 m2/ha basal area), and heavily thinned (3 to 13 m2/ha basal area) stands of ponderosa pine. During June, July, and August, 1991 and 1992, about 7,000 individual plants were marked along permanent transects and percent-weight-removed by grazing was ocularly estimated. Sample plots were established along transects and plants within plots were clipped to estimate standing biomass. Pellet groups were counted throughout the study area to determine summer habitat use of elk and deer. Diet composition was evaluated using microhistological analysis of fecal samples. Average percent-weight-removed from all marked plants and percent-plants-grazed were used to evaluate forage utilization. Standing biomass of graminoids, shrubs, and forbs increased (P 0.05) from unthinned to moderately and heavily thinned stands. Utilization of graminoids and shrubs averaged less than 1% when measured as percent-weight-removed and percent-plants-grazed and did not differ (P 0.05) across treatments. Forb use averaged less than 5% within sampling periods when measured as percent-weight-removed and percent-of-plants grazed and did not differ among treatments. Results of pellet group surveys indicated that cervids were primarily using meadow habitats. When averaged over the 2 years, forbs were the major forage class in deer diets, whereas graminoids were the major forage class in diets of elk.

Cervid forage utilization in noncommercially thinned ponderosa pine forests

Abstract To evaluate effects of noncommercial thinning, utilization of forages consumed by elk (Cervus elaphus L.), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus Raf.), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Raf.) was measured in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson) stands in Custer State Park, S. D. Treatments consisted of unthinned (control; 22 to 32 m2/ha basal area), moderately thinned (12 to 22 m2/ha basal area), and heavily thinned (3 to 13 m2/ha basal area) stands of ponderosa pine. During June, July, and August, 1991 and 1992, about 7,000 individual plants were marked along permanent transects and percent-weight-removed by grazing was ocularly estimated. Sample plots were established along transects and plants within plots were clipped to estimate standing biomass. Pellet groups were counted throughout the study area to determine summer habitat use of elk and deer. Diet composition was evaluated using microhistological analysis of fecal samples. Average percent-weight-removed from all marked pl...

Browse occurrence, biomass, and use by white-tailed deer in a northern New Brunswick deer yard

Winter browse abundance influences population growth of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northeastern North America, where they regularly experience harsh winter conditions. We surveyed browse biomass and abundance among vegetation types and determined the extent of browse species selection and avoidance in a northeastern deer yard. Deer browsed 19 species but only red and striped maples (Acer rubrum L. and Acer pensylvanicum L.) were consistently selected. Regenerating, mature mixedwood, and mature spruce–fir stands were most likely to have high amounts of browse cover. Mature mixedwood stands had greater total browse biomass than submature hardwood and mature cedar stands. It is possible that our observed selection and avoidance of browse species reflects changes in availability as snow depth increased in middle to late winter. Thus, browse availability and use should be interpreted with respect to known patterns of deer habitat use during varying degrees of winter severity. We recommend that mixedwood stands be recognized as important part of winter habitat for deer. We underscore their importance for wintering deer, because they allow them to access shelter and browse simultaneously.

Use of multiobjective optimization models to examine behavioural trade-offs of white-tailed deer habitat use in forest harvesting experiments

I evaluated the habitat use of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) in a boreal mixedwood forest managed for timber production in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, to determine which kinds of factors (e.g., forage abundance, canopy cover) influenced habitat use, if white-tailed deer considered these habitat factors in isolation or instead there was evidence of trade-offs, and whether the identification of the factors or the way in which they were traded off varied subsequent to the introduction of harvested patches or changes in hunting traffic. Habitat use was estimated through ground-based surveys before and after the elimination of hunting traffic in a partially harvested site and before and after harvesting in a formerly hunted but unharvested site. Forage abundance was always a significant, or marginally significant, predictor of habitat use. Canopy cover was only important in sites with limited water access. In the presence of hunting traffic, white-tailed deer balanced multiple habitat factors (e.g., food access vs. road avoidance); when hunting traffic was eliminated, the trade-off behaviour was abandoned. The variety in behaviour that the white-tailed deer exhibited in my study implies that to successfully protect habitat, it may not be sufficient to simply identify the factors that influence habitat use (and presumably value). We may also need to understand how the animals deal with these factors under different conditions.

Seasonal Movements and Habitat Use of Female White-Tailed Deer Associated with an Urban Park

Many cities throughout the United States have implemented programs for managing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. However, basic ecological questions, such as seasonal movement patterns and habitat use of deer in urban landscapes, have gone relatively unstudied. We conducted a telemetry study to investigate seasonal movements and habitat use of female white-tailed deer in Bloomington, Minnesota, USA, during 1996-1999. Home range size varied seasonally, with the largest occurring during the spring (x = 144 ha [SD = 7 ha]) and smallest during the summer (x = 50 ha [SD = 7 ha]). Home ranges during fall (x = 93 ha [SD = 11 ha]) and winter (x = 85 ha [SD = 6 ha] ) were similar in size. Deer in this study demonstrated a high degree of fidelity with their seasonal home ranges, except during a severe winter when 75% of the deer shifted their fall home range. These deer all returned to their original home range the following spring. Habitat analysis indicated that deer used woody cover habitats during every season. Habitats within parks and conservation areas made up the greatest percentage (52-68%) of home range compositions during all seasons except the severe winter when 78% of the home range encompassed residential neighborhoods. Our data suggest that a major difference between urban and rural deer is in spatial scale. Deer in this study used habitats that might be expected based on studies of deer in rural landscapes but occupied smaller home ranges than normally reported for deer in rural landscapes. Deer management programs developed for urban communities should consider movement patterns of deer to ensure the most effective control of particular nuisance individuals.

Within-yard habitat use by white-tailed deer at varying winter severity

Vegetative, topological, and spatial features that were associated with habitat use of radio-collared white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus, n=17 in 1996–1997 and n=13 in 1997–1998) were identified as snow depth changed in the Odell Deeryard, NB, Canada. Logistic regressions and classification trees revealed that use of forest stands varied with snow depth, and between the 1996–1997 and 1997–1998 yarding periods. Stand use at all snow depths was inversely related to the distance to stands with >50% softwood canopy cover (SCC). Stand use during periods of low snow depth (<20 cm) also was predicted by features such as the basal area of spruce ( Picea spp. A. Dietr.) <2.5 m 2/ha and browse availability >10% of ground cover. At moderate snow depths (20–50 cm) deer were more likely to use stands within 290 m of 30–50% SCC, within 215 m of >50% SCC, and having low slopes (<4.5°). During periods of deep snow (>50 cm) only those features that described shelter were useful in predicting habitat use variation between years. Deer were not associated with browse-related features when snow depth exceeded 50 cm. In 1996–1997, a winter of average snow depth, deer were more likely to use stands with low perimeter:area ratios (<0.04 m/m 2), within 220 m of cedar/hemlock-dominated ( Thuja occidentalis L./ Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) stands, and with low basal areas of pine/larch (<0.3 m 2/ha, Pinus spp. L./ Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch). In 1997–1998, an exceptionally harsh winter, deer left the yard in late January and moved to nearby timber harvest operations. However, while in the yard, deer selected stands at lower elevations (<180 m), but did not differentiate between softwood shelter species. Results suggest that deer use stands based on the spatial arrangement of shelter within the deeryard, and not just that of the individual stand. We suggest that the supply of browse during winter should be an explicit part of any deeryard management plan.

Use of mixedwood stands by wintering white-tailed deer in southern New Brunswick

On the northern edge of their range, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) congregate during winter to cope with severe climate conditions. We documented the winter habitat use of deer in southern New Brunswick, where winters are of moderate severity, and tested predictions concerning the influence of food and cover availability on habitat use by deer under different snow depth regimes. Sixty-three radio-collared deer were monitored during the winters of 1995 to 1997. Within wintering areas, deer showed a preference for mixedwoods. Mixedwood stands provided only moderate amounts of food and cover relative to some other cover types, but were the only type to provide both simultaneously. Current habitat management guidelines in parts of northeastern North America consider critical habitat for wintering deer to be softwood-dominated stands. These guidelines may not provide adequate habitat in this region, since deer appear to use mixedwood stands under some conditions. Key words: deer, deer wintering area, deer yard, habitat, habitat management, mixedwood, Odocoileus, winter, yard

The Influence of Temporal and Spatial Factors on Clearcut Use by White-Tailed Deer in Northern Idaho

Abstract Relatively little is known about the response of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to forest management practices currently used in northern Idaho. We used pellet group surveys and radiotelemetry to assess the influence of season, clearcut age, and clearcut size on deer use in the Priest Lake watershed of northern Idaho. Deer use of 14 clearcuts ranging from 1 to 25 yr in age and 4.05 to 14.75 ha in size was investigated. No association between pellet group density and clearcut size or age was found. Both pellet group and telemetry data, however, indicated seasonal shifts in white-tailed deer habitat use patterns. Deer displayed strong avoidance of nonforested sites during winter and concentrated on low elevation winter ranges characterized by dense overstories. With the advent of warm weather and reduced snow depths, nonforested sites received increasing use. Clearcut use peaked during early spring and declined with the onset of summer as deer migrated to higher elevations. Spring use of clearcuts was significantly higher than summer use on all sites sampled. Spring pellet group densities averaged 1.52 groups/plot, whereas summer densities averaged 0.50 groups/plot. In the Priest Lake drainage, cutting units should be restricted to less critical sites adjacent to wintering areas. Clearcuts within winter habitats will further fragment existing forested stands and will be at the expense of critical thermal cover. In other regions, vegetation structure and composition should not be the only criteria used to evaluate the influence of clearcutting on white-tailed deer habitat use. West. J. Appl. For. 14(4):177-182.

Habitat segregation in ungulates: are males forced into suboptimal foraging habitats through indirect competition by females?

Sex differences in habitat use (termed `habitat segregation') are widespread in sexually dimorphic ungulate species. They are a puzzling phenomenon, particularly when females use better foraging habitats than males. It has been suggested that males, owing to their larger body size and higher forage requirements, are inferior in indirect competition to females and are forced by female grazing pressure into marginal habitats (`indirect-competition hypothesis'). This hypothesis has been widely cited and has important theoretical and practical implications. However, evidence for it is inconclusive. The present paper presents the results of the first experimental test of the indirect-competition hypothesis. We manipulated female and male numbers of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) on a large scale on the Isle of Rum, Scotland, and tested the influence of this manipulation on deer habitat use. We predicted that where female numbers were reduced, male use of preferred habitat should increase and sex differences in habitat use should decrease, while a reduction in male numbers should not have such effects. In contrast, we found that the manipulation of female and male numbers did not affect habitat use, and conclude that the indirect-competition hypothesis does not explain habitat segregation on Rum.

Use of an adaptive kernel home-range estimator in a GIS environment to calculate habitat use

Habitat use analyses have traditionally relied on telemetry relocation points as the primary source of data. Home-range estimations have generally been disregarded as a means of quantifying habitat use and availability. Seasonal habitat use of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)calculated from a home-range estimator using an adaptive kernel method was compared with relocation point data from Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, South Dakota from 1 January 1993 to 27 June 1994, to determine if an adaptive kernel home-range estimator approximates traditional methods of quantifying habitat use. No differences between proportional area of seasonal home-ranges and point data were detected (P>0·05), indicating that habitat use calculated from an adaptive kernel home-range estimate was similar to habitat use calculated from relocation points. Potential benefits of home-range estimations include consideration of radio-telemetry error, biological independence of observations, and complete utilisation distributions. Given the success of home-range estimators at quantifying habitat use, a new alternative to habitat use analysis is offered. In situations where inherent telemetry error is unavoidable, using proportional area of home-range contours to define habitat use avoids the pitfalls associated with telemetry relocation point data.

Home range and habitat use of roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) reared in captivity and released in the wild

Abstract In autumn 1992 two subadult males, reared in captivity, were radio-tagged and released on the northern slopes of Monte Carso near the city of Trieste. The annual mean size of the home range resulted to be 38.5 ha by the Outer Polygon method and 66.4 ha by the Harmonic Mean method. The mean size of the home range was found to be smaller, with both methods, in the hierchical-territorial period (13.5 and 7.3 ha respectively) and larger in the indifferent period (22.5 and 24.5 ha respectively). We found the same trend for the overlap between the home ranges (25.5% in the yearly period, 1.5% in the hierarchical-territorial period and 16.8% in the indifferent one). The animals avoided open vegetation areas (meadows and pastures) and the urbanized zones. They showed a slight preference for woods and used areas between urbanized zones depending on their availability.

Habitat Use by White-Tailed Deer on Cross Timbers Rangeland following Brush Management

Seasonal habitat use by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman) was monitored with radio telemetry in 1988-89 to determine responses to experimental brush treatments, 5-6 years post-treatment, in the cross timbers region of central Oklahoma. The study area was a mosaic of brush treatments: tebuthiuron (N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiazol-2-yl 1]-N,N'-dimethylurea) herbicide, tebuthiuron with an annual spring burn, triclopyr ([(3,5,6-trichlor-2-pyridinyl)oxy]acetic acid) herbicide, triclopyr with an annual spring burn, and no herbicide with annual spring burning. Control areas with no burning or herbicide applications also were evaluated. Herbicides were applied in 1983, and fires were initiated in 1985. Annual home range (95% harmonic mean) averaged 99.9 ha, and no differences in size among seasons or between sexes were observed. Both sexes selected and avoided specific brush treatments throughout the year. Female deer selected or avoided more human-altered habitats in specific contrasts of main treatment groups (e.g., treated vs. control, herbicide vs. no herbicide, fire vs. no fire, etc.) than males. Both sexes selected fire treatments in summer and were most particular in their choice of main treatment groups in summer and fall habitat use between the sexes was most similar in winter and most disparate in fall. The mosaic of habitat types resulting from the variable herbicide and burn application pattern probably influenced deer habitat use in the cross timbers region through combined effects of increased mid-story cover and forage production as they relate to reproductive activities and nutritional needs of female deer in particular.

Habitat Use of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus L.) in Çatacik Forest

Population ecology and habitat preferences of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) were investigated in Çatacik Forest between 1989-1991. In this study 2350 pellet count plots were established through the area of 8776 ha. Presence-absence method (1) and point-distance technique (2) were used on the plots. Plants supplying food for the red deer were investigated on vegetation plots. Habitat selection was studied by a special computer programme based on distribution of pellets in different vegetation types, altitudes, aspects and proximity to water springs and roads. Habitat share between deer and domestic ungulates or wild herbivore mammals in the study area were also studied based on pellet frequencies. It was found that deer mainly used plantations and openings in the forest. The utilization was the highest near the boundaries of the different habitat types and well interspersed habitats. Namely, 'Edge Effect' was an important factor on deer's habitat use.