The spatial dynamics of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in fenced Mediterranean landscapes during periods of limited resources

Abstract

Two opposite spatial dynamics of red deer ( Cervus elaphus L.) occur in Mediterranean landscapes at the end of the summer: a higher segregation of animals during periods of food scarcity versus the aggregation of individuals of both sexes for reproductive purposes. Nevertheless, red deer spatial dynamics and activity patterns may differ in fenced areas, where high deer numbers are reached artificially through intensive management. Yet, such effects remain insufficiently investigated in the literature, despite the prevalence of fenced estates in Mediterranean landscapes within central-southern Iberian Peninsula. We used camera traps and Random Forest to analyze how environmental and anthropogenic factors affected red deer spatial dynamics in a perimeter-fenced Mediterranean landscape during the period of the year when food resources are most limited. Our key findings indicated that females selected areas with higher-quality food resources, and elevated nutritional needs due to lactation, corresponding to the flat, humid lowland areas. In contrast, males demonstrated a less concentrated distribution, although during the rut they migrated towards territories with females. Conversely, daily activity patterns did not differ significantly between sexes. The Random Forest model revealed how altitude, slope, and proximity to water sources or supplementary crops influenced deer spatial dynamics. Our findings emphasized the importance of assessing seasonal movement patterns of deer within fenced areas to determine whether their behavior aligns with natural conditions and if the enclosed landscape ensures adequate environmental heterogeneity. When these requirements are met, fenced landscapes can contribute to the health of deer populations and ecosystems. Therefore, such assessments (i.e., camera trap monitoring and spatial modeling of seasonal movement patterns) can subsequently be used as an additional indicator of good deer management practices, complementing those already in use.

Bibliographic Information