Red deer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cervus elaphus</Emphasis> resting place characteristics obtained from differential GPS data in a forest habitat |
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Authors: | Christophe Adrados Christophe Baltzinger Georges Janeau Dominique Pépin |
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Institution: | (1) CEMAGREF, Domaine des Barres, 45290 Nogent sur Vernisson, France;(2) Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UR 35: Comportement et Ecologie de la Faune Sauvage, CRA Toulouse, BP 52627, 31326 Castanet Tolosan, France |
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Abstract: | We recorded 30 24-h monitoring periods with 10-min sampling intervals on seven (three female; four male) Global-Positioning-System-collared
adult free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus), from June 1999 to December 2000, in the Parc National des Cévennes, France. We observed the duration of resting bouts (n = 385) and then microhabitat variables (aspect, slope, presence of edge and litter, visibility, abundance of vegetation consumed
or not) at 178 resting places. Resting bouts were shorter during the night than during the day from June to October but did
not vary between sexes. Resting place visibility was lower during the day, especially in August. Daytime resting places generally
offered more litter. Females used steeper slopes than males. We found higher variability in visibility and slope during the
night. Aspect used did not vary from month to month or between day and night. Observed differences between day and night resting
place characteristics suggest that red deer were probably facing a tradeoff between feeding and cover. Use of cover prevailed
during the daytime whereas night resting place characteristics were more variable, indicating less constrained behaviour.
Thus, cover (as a protection from disturbance), as well as food, is an important factor in red deer habitat use (at least
during the day in disturbed areas) and should not be neglected in forest carrying capacity management. |
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Keywords: | Activity Bed site Cover France Habitat use Red deer |
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