Density-habitat relationships of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Finland

Jenni Poutanen; Angela K. Fuller; Jyrki Pusenius; J. Andrew Royle; Mikael Wikström; Jon E Brommer

doi:10.1002/ece3.9711

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Density-habitat relationships of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Finland

Jenni Poutanen·Angela K. Fuller·Jyrki Pusenius·J. Andrew Royle·Mikael Wikström·Jon E Brommer

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Abstract

In heterogeneous landscapes, resource selection constitutes a crucial link between landscape and population-level processes such as density. We conducted a non-invasive genetic study of white-tailed deer in southern Finland in 2016 and 2017 using fecal DNA samples to understand factors influencing white-tailed deer density and space use in late summer prior to the hunting season. We estimated deer density as a function of landcover types using a spatial capture-recapture (SCR) model with individual identities established using microsatellite markers. The study revealed second-order habitat selection with highest deer densities in fields and mixed forest, and third-order habitat selection (detection probability) for transitional woodlands (clear-cuts) and closeness to fields. Including landscape heterogeneity improved model fit and increased inferred total density compared with models assuming a homogenous landscape. Our findings underline the importance of including habitat covariates when estimating density and exemplifies that resource selection can be studied using non-invasive methods.

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Ecology and Evolution Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 60.81018338906668° to 60.89878772519478° latitude; 22.745787010636263° to 22.92321705027345° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Jenni Poutanen, Angela K. Fuller, Jyrki Pusenius, J. Andrew Royle, Mikael Wikström, Jon E Brommer. 2023-01-10. Density-habitat relationships of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Finland. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9711

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