Introduced populations of Sika Deer are established in many parts of Britain and some, particularly in Scotland, are expanding their range rapidly. The taxonomy of Sika Deer and the timing and location of introductions is reviewed and current information on their range expansion and hybridization with Red Deer is provided. The current state of our knowledge of population parameters is insufficient to provide the basis for sound management in the future. The introduction of Sika Deer to Red Deer areas is considered to be irresponsible because of the likelihood of hybridization and the threat to the genetic integrity of Red Deer.
Average defecation frequencies of Roe deer in Britain seem to vary from around 17 faecal deposits/deer/day in ‘poor’ habitats to about 23/deer/day in ‘good’ habitats. Although it is not yet known if there are appreciable seasonal variations, these average values can be used in estimating site occupation and population density from observations on the rates of accumulation of faecal deposits in sample areas of ground. The ‘faecal accumulation method’ requires semi‐permanent plots which are first cleared of old faeces and then checked after a set time to measure the accumulated new deposits. Uncorrected measurements can be used as comparative indices of animal abundance, but being able to convert them into more meaningful units is of greater value in ecological studies.
SynopsisDocumented studies of the ecology of red deer in Scotland refer principally to populations which occupy treeless moorlands. Commercial forests have become a major part of the Scottish landscape and little is known of the dynamics of the red deer populations which inhabit them.Red deer which benefit from the enhanced shelter and nutrition of a woodland habitat often perform better than those occupying open-range. Birth rates of 60–70 calves 100 hinds are common, especially in forests in the south and west of Scotland. This potential may be reduced to a post-winter recruitment of 50 60 calves 100 hinds (cf. birth rates on open-range of 40 60 calves 100 hinds reducing to 30–35). A range of densities in forests of 5–15 deer km" is almost identical to the densities found on open-range.Simulation models suggest that many woodland populations can support a sustained yield of about 20% of adults each year and focus attention on the practical difficulties of achieving culls in commercial forests. Simulations of changes in forest structure are used to demonstrate the related changes occurring in the ability of the habitat to support changing densities of deer through time.In a study in Galloway, southern Scotland, evidence suggests that the red deer population has increased considerably during the expansion of commercial forestry between 1960–80.
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