Genetic Variability and Movement Ecology of White-Tailed Deer on Chickamauga National Battlefield Park, GA

Steadman, Linda

The objectives of this study were to determine and describe the genetic variation found in the deer population of Chickamauga National Battlefield Park, Georgia and to correlate this variation with fitness indicators as measured by home range size, quality, and other movement parameters. Samples for genetic analysis were collected at the time of deer capture. Home range quality was measured by the presence and proportion of specific vegetation types. Home ranges were determined seasonally and sex considerations were included in the analysis. The author hypothesized that the more heterozygous individuals would tend to have larger ranges because of a tendency to be more active or inquisitive and that the more genetically variable deer would have a higher proportion of their home range in higher quality habitats. Heterozygosity level was found to be a significant factor in determining home range characteristics only in a small number of seasonal periods tested. Heterozygosity was not a good predictor of home range characteristics nor was it a significant predictor of home range parameters. The regression equations resulted in non-significant negative and positive correlations. In fact, the majority of the regression lines had positive slopes for total home range size and there were equivalent numbers of positive and negative slopes for the proportion of hardwood habitat. This supports the prediction that the more heterozygous animals would have larger home ranges but fails to support the prediction that their ranges contain a greater proportion of hardwood forests. One explanation may be that heterozygosity effects are more evident under stressful conditions. The most significant correlations were found in the Winter of 1992. This winter was preceded by a poor mast crop. This could be a reason in which the deer herd was food limited. In general, the deer herd at Chickamauga Battlefield Park is not under severe population pressures. However, CBP is planning to re-route Highway 27. This will lower the number of deer-vehicle collisions substantially and may result in an increase in the deer population. Also, suburban encroachment is reducing the habitat suitable for deer. Therefore, genetic influences may only get stronger in the future. The managers at the Park should consider studying how the genetic structure of the herd changes when the environmental conditions change. This could lead to a better understanding of the importance of the genetic response to habitat variation.