Accounting for cloud cover and circannual variation puts the effect of lunar phase on deer-vehicle collisions into perspective

Cerri, Jacopo; Stendardi, Laura; Bužan, Elena; Pokorny, Boštjan

doi:10.32942/x2rg6j

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…In addition, it remains unclear why the relationship between parturition timing and moon illumination was not influenced by nocturnal cloud cover. Cloud cover often mediates the influence of moon illumination on other aspects of ungulate behavior, including antipredator behavior (Cerri et al., 2023; Ladine & Settles, 2020). Parturition events for mule deer were more diurnal than crepuscular, which may explain why we did not observe relationships between moon illumination, nocturnal cloud cover, and parturition timing for mule deer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A fine‐scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates

Turnley,

Hughes,

Larsen

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Parturition timing has long been a topic of interest in ungulate research. However, few studies have examined parturition timing at fine scale (e.g., <1 day). Predator activity and environmental conditions can vary considerably with diel timing, which may result in selective pressure for parturition to occur during diel times that maximize the likelihood of neonate survival. We monitored parturition events and early‐life survival of elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Utah, USA to better understand diel timing of parturition in temperate ungulates. Diel timing of parturition was moderately synchronous among conspecifics and influenced by environmental variables on the date of parturition. For elk, parturition events were most common during the morning crepuscular period and generally occurred later (i.e., closer to 12:00) when a relatively large proportion of the moon was illuminated. For mule deer, parturition events were most common during the diurnal period and generally occurred later (i.e., closer to 15:00) on cold, wet dates. Diel timing of parturition did not influence neonate survival, but larger datasets may be required to verify the apparent lack of influence. Although additional work could evaluate alternative variables that might affect parturition timing, our data provide an improved and finer scale understanding of reproductive ecology and phenology in ungulates.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A fine‐scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates

Turnley,

Hughes,

Larsen

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Statistical analyses were carried out in R (R Core Team, 2022). A reproducible software code for R and Google Earth Engine, altogether with the reproducible dataset about road‐killed roe deer, is available in Cerri et al (2022).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Data available via the Open Science Framework Repository via EcoEvorxiv Digital repository https://doi.org/10.32942/X2RG6J (Cerri et al, 2022).…”

Section: Data Availability Statementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accounting for cloud cover and circannual variation puts the effect of lunar phase on deer–vehicle collisions into perspective

Cerri

Stendardi

Bužan

et al. 2023

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Although several studies have focused on the influence of moonlight on deer–vehicle collisions, findings have been inconsistent. This may be due to neglect of the effects of cloud cover, a major impediment to moon illumination and circannual variation in both deer and human activity. We assessed how median cloud cover interacted with the illuminated fraction of the moon in affecting daily roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) roadkill in Slovenia (Central Europe). Data included nationwide roadkill (n = 49,259), collected between 2010 and 2019 by hunters, as required by law. Roadkill peaked under medium to high cloud cover and decreased during nights with low or extremely high cloudiness. This pattern was more pronounced on nights with a full moon. However, the effects of moon illumination and cloud cover had a lower predictive potential than circannual variation, as collisions clearly peaked in April/May, July and August/September. Our results suggest that moonlight could influence roe deer movements through compensatory foraging. However, on nights with a full moon, collisions could also be affected by weather. On bright nights, roe deer might be less active due to increased human presence and sustained vehicular traffic. Then, with medium to high cloud cover and also rainfall, human presence in the environment may be low enough to increase deer movements, but vehicular traffic can still be intermediate, maximizing the risk of collisions. Finally, with overcast skies, widespread rainfall can reduce both traffic volume and human outdoor activity, decreasing the risk of collisions. Moon illumination may indeed affect wildlife–vehicle collisions and roadkill, but its effects should be quantified as a function of cloud cover. Moreover, to make studies truly comparable, research about wildlife–vehicle collisions should also account for time of the year. Policy implications. Because collisions with roe deer peak at particular periods of the year, signs should be installed seasonally. By doing so, they would warn drivers about the risk, improve drivers' awareness and increase their safety. Moreover, as collisions also increase on nights with a full moon and overcast skies, interactive warning signs that are activated by ground illumination should also be useful.

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Accounting for cloud cover and circannual variation puts the effect of lunar phase on deer-vehicle collisions into perspective

Cited by 2 publications

References 35 publications

A fine‐scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates

A fine‐scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates

Accounting for cloud cover and circannual variation puts the effect of lunar phase on deer–vehicle collisions into perspective

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