Cervus elaphus

Ecology and DistributionEcology and Distribution

Red deer typically occur in Red deer typically occur in “natural forests, planted forests, “natural forests, planted forests, grasslands, shrublands” and the grasslands, shrublands” and the tundra. They occur in many tundra. They occur in many countries all around the world countries all around the world including: Austria, Belgium, including: Austria, Belgium, China, Canada, Germany, Iran, China, Canada, Germany, Iran, Poland, Russia, etc. Furthermore, Poland, Russia, etc. Furthermore, they have also been introduced to they have also been introduced to a variety of different areas. The a variety of different areas. The are generally found in are generally found in mountainous regions of the mountainous regions of the countries they populate and countries they populate and typically spend there winters in typically spend there winters in the valleys of those regions, the valleys of those regions, (Adams, 1982).(Adams, 1982).

Some species migrate up to 97km Some species migrate up to 97km annually. Calving in this species annually. Calving in this species typically occurs in the months of typically occurs in the months of June – July, with females June – July, with females producing only one calf/fawn.producing only one calf/fawn.

Ground counts

A minimum of 13 counters will follow a pre-planned route and count the number of deer passing behind them.

Count the site 3 times on consecutive days. Counters must follow the same routs for all

counts and routes must be designed in a way that counters are able to see each other.

If a deer is spotted, it may only be recorded after confirming it with the adjacent counters.

Helicopter visual countsHelicopter visual counts

A site would be counted a minimum of three A site would be counted a minimum of three times.times.

Counts are done successively within the year of Counts are done successively within the year of study.study.

Generally three people are used: a spotter/ Generally three people are used: a spotter/ navigator as well as two spotter/ recorders.navigator as well as two spotter/ recorders.

The helicopter will fly at various speeds and The helicopter will fly at various speeds and altitudes, following pre-planned routes.altitudes, following pre-planned routes.

Routes should cover ground effectively and Routes should cover ground effectively and account for likely deer movement.account for likely deer movement.

Dung countsDung counts The most time consuming method and requires the most labour.The most time consuming method and requires the most labour. ““Dung plots” are established.Dung plots” are established. Plots are chosen at random, using random co-ordinates and are then Plots are chosen at random, using random co-ordinates and are then

located using a GPS.located using a GPS. A minimum of 30 plots should be obtained and should have a density of A minimum of 30 plots should be obtained and should have a density of

about one plot for every 150 ha.about one plot for every 150 ha. At each plot a 100m line, running north of the plot should be measured and At each plot a 100m line, running north of the plot should be measured and

marked.marked. The ground is then searched for dear dropping groups, 1m on either side of The ground is then searched for dear dropping groups, 1m on either side of

the line.the line. Number of deer dropping groups recorded and removed from the lineNumber of deer dropping groups recorded and removed from the line Droppings classified as deer dropping by looking at the size, shape and Droppings classified as deer dropping by looking at the size, shape and

quantity.quantity. These counts are then converted to population estimates by converting the These counts are then converted to population estimates by converting the

number of groups counted over the plots, to density of groups per hectare number of groups counted over the plots, to density of groups per hectare and then dividing that density by the average number of groups produced and then dividing that density by the average number of groups produced per day by deer. This number is then divided by the number of days pellets per day by deer. This number is then divided by the number of days pellets are present.are present.

ReferencesReferences

Daniels MJ(2006) Estimating Red Deer Daniels MJ(2006) Estimating Red Deer Cervus elaphusCervus elaphus populations: populations: an analysis of variation and cost-effectiveness of counting methods. an analysis of variation and cost-effectiveness of counting methods. Mammal society, mammal Review,36(2),235-247Mammal society, mammal Review,36(2),235-247Geist V (1998)Deer of the world: their evolution, behaviour and Geist V (1998)Deer of the world: their evolution, behaviour and ecology. Stackpole books.pp, 202. ISBN 0811 704 963ecology. Stackpole books.pp, 202. ISBN 0811 704 963Lovari S, Herrero J, Conroy J, Maran T, Giannatos G, Stubbe M, Lovari S, Herrero J, Conroy J, Maran T, Giannatos G, Stubbe M, Aulagnier S, Jdeidi T, Masseti M,Nader L, de Smet K & Cuzin F Aulagnier S, Jdeidi T, Masseti M,Nader L, de Smet K & Cuzin F (2008) (2008) Cervus elaphus. Cervus elaphus. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red list of threatened In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red list of threatened species. species. http://http://www.redlist.orgwww.redlist.org/. downloaded/. downloaded 26 July 2010 26 July 2010Ludt CJ, Schroeder W, Rootman O &Kuehn R (2004) Motichondrial Ludt CJ, Schroeder W, Rootman O &Kuehn R (2004) Motichondrial DNA phylogeography of red deer (Cervus elaphus). Molecular DNA phylogeography of red deer (Cervus elaphus). Molecular phylogenetics and evolution,31, 1064-1083phylogenetics and evolution,31, 1064-1083Nugent G & Fraser W (2005) Red Deer. In C.M. King (ED): The Nugent G & Fraser W (2005) Red Deer. In C.M. King (ED): The handbook of New Zealand Mammals, second edition, Oxford handbook of New Zealand Mammals, second edition, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, pp 401-420University Press, Melbourne, pp 401-420