Vegetation characteristics influence fine-scale intensity of habitat use by wild turkey and white-tailed deer in a loblolly pine plantation

Habitat quality is often evaluated based on food availability. However, ecological theory suggests cover should be a more important decision rule when food is not a proximate threat to fitness, as cover mediates predation risk as well as other important factors of fitness. In reality, vegetation characteristics related to food availability and cover are rarely coupled with animal use in the same space and time to determine their relative influences on habitat use. Using an array of 81 camera traps in a matrix of forest management strategies used to deliberately cause a wide disparity in vegetation characteristics, we monitored intensity of use by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). We measured vegetation characteristics related to food and cover at each camera trap location then used a generalized additive model to determine how vegetation characteristics specific to the location affected intensity of habitat use by animals at the location. Consistent among both species, cover best explained intensity of habitat use. Contrastingly, food did not explain intensity of habitat use well for either species. Some vegetation simultaneously provides cover and food, and our data indicate that areas with vegetation characteristics providing both resources had the greatest influence on intensity of habitat use by both species. Our results suggest deer and turkey may perceive cover as a more important habitat component when food is not a proximate fitness threat.