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Density-habitat relationships of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Finland
  • +3
  • Jenni Poutanen,
  • Angela Fuller,
  • Jyrki Pusenius,
  • J Royle,
  • Mikael Wikström,
  • Jon Brommer
Jenni Poutanen
University of Turku

Corresponding Author:jenni.poutanen@utu.fi

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Angela Fuller
U.S. Geological Survey
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Jyrki Pusenius
Natural Resources Institute Finland
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J Royle
USGS
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Mikael Wikström
Finnish Wildlife Agency
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Jon Brommer
University of Turku
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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.
14 Jan 2022Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
18 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
18 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
24 Jan 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
03 Mar 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
29 Jun 20221st Revision Received
29 Jun 2022Submission Checks Completed
29 Jun 2022Assigned to Editor
29 Jun 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Jul 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
06 Sep 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
28 Nov 20222nd Revision Received
29 Nov 2022Submission Checks Completed
29 Nov 2022Assigned to Editor
29 Nov 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
19 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Accept