Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Correspondence: annette. The European roe deer is the most abundant ungulate in Europe. Information on the number of animals and the factors that influence this are essential for the effective management of this species. We developed a model to estimate the pellet group density using transect surveys of dung pellets in the federal state of Bavaria, south-eastern Germany. We used the pellet group density as a proxy for roe deer relative abundance.
Our results show that climate, habitat type and wildlife management approach determine the relative number of roe deer. Influential factors differed between seasons and were expected due to changes in food and shelter availability.
(mh=uximMVpaZXhO4zGU)7.jpg "Model Hooker Racine")
Although recognized as a woodland species, the majority of roe deer are expected in agriculture-dominated landscapes, which shows their ability to adapt to a wide range of landscape types, especially those with high food availability.
Higher numbers were also predicted in regions with intermediate temperatures. Estimates of relative number do not give the actual absolute number of animals but are useful in determining which conditions will have more or fewer animals and can provide information for broad-scale management recommendations. Our results also provide insights into possible future changes in the distribution of relative numbers of roe deer due to climate and land-use change.
European roe deer Capreolus capreolus L. However, uncontrolled roe deer numbers can result in negative impacts on forest regeneration and agricultural crops, disease transmission and occurrences of deer-vehicle collisions. Information on the abundance and distribution is needed for effective management.
