Site fidelity and its effects on survival of Odocoileus virginianus seminolus during a catastrophic flood in the Everglades
Macdonald K. 1997. Site fidelity and its effects on survival of Odocoileus virginianus seminolus during a catastrophic flood in the Everglades. University of Florida
Reports an investigation of white-tailed deer movements and survival during a severe flood in south Florida. The study area overlaps the boundary between southeastern Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park. Effects of the flood are seen in high mortality, decreased reproduction, and changes in patterns of habitat use. Many of the monitored deer, both male and female, showed site fidelity despite the adverse conditions. Deer moving farther had lower survival rates, possibly because of 'high energetic costs' of moving [page vii]. With data tables and a section on applications to conservation, particularly in relation to water-level management. Appendices: capture statistics, radio locations and survival status, sample matrix of home range comparisons.