Spatial distribution of mule deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus</i>): Effects of plant palatability and habitat structure

Abstract

Scientists at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) have recorded more mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) activity density within the Gothic town site relative to outside the town site. One hypothesis to account for increased deer activity in Gothic is that coyotes, who prey on deer fawns, avoid areas of concentrated human activity, causing deer to aggregate in these “safe sites.” To put this hypothesis under scrutiny, we wanted to test an alternate hypothesis that deals with vegetation as an influence for deer spatial distribution. I hypothesized that if Gothic is rich in preferred plant species and habitats then high deer activity density will correlate. To follow up with previous observations on deer activity density in Gothic, two predetermined routes, inside and outside Gothic, were walked for a four‐week period to observe deer spatial distribution. To look at the availability of preferred plants, multiple plant transects were conducted to observe average palatability of a certain area. To look at the availability of habitats, GIS ArcMap was used to define different habitat types and calculate area. We observed that there were more deer outside Gothic than inside. Second, we found that the abundance of palatable plants is similar inside and outside Gothic. Last, we found that the proportion of habitats types was similar inside and outside Gothic, however there were more wet meadow habitat outside Gothic and more meadow habitat inside Gothic. From these results, we conclude that plant palatability does not influence the spatial distribution of mule deer; also, since habitat structure is similar inside and outside of Gothic, this has little, if any, influence on deer spatial distribution. A better understanding of influences of mule deer spatial distribution will lead to improved management of mule deer overabundance in an ecosystem.

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