Density-habitat relationships of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus) in Finland
Abstract
In heterogeneous landscapes, habitat preference constitutes a crucial
link between landscape and population-level processes such as density
and sex ratios. We conducted a non-invasive genetic study of
white-tailed deer in southern Finland using fecal samples. We estimated
deer density as a function of landcover type using a Spatial
Capture-Recapture (SCR) model. Second-order habitat selection of
white-tailed deer revealed particularly high densities in fields and
mixed forest, and third-order selection was related to distance to
fields and transitional woodlands (clearcuts). Including landscape
heterogeneity improved model fit compared with assuming a homogenous
landscape. Our findings underline the importance of including habitat
covariates when estimating density.