Characteristics of mule deer day-bed and forage sites in current-condition and restoration-treated ponderosa pine forest
Germaine SS, Germaine HL, Boe SR. 2004. Characteristics of mule deer day-bed and forage sites in current-condition and restoration-treated ponderosa pine forest. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 32(2):554-564
We characterized microhabitat (structure and microclimate) at 236 mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) day-beds, 152 diurnal forage sites, and 439 random locations during summers of 1998-2000. Our objectives were to 1) identify important microhabitat characteristics of day-beds and forage sites in untreated forest, 2) compare relative availability of bed and forage sites having these characteristics between forest types, 3) determine whether mule deer slected either forest type disproportionately for these activities, and 4) compare characteristics of day-bed and forage sites between forest types. We recommend retaining> 0.04-ha patches of dense bedding and hiding cover in areas where both forest restoration and mule deer are management concerns.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Germaine, Stephen; Germaine, Heather; Boe, Susan
- Units
- PARA
- Keywords
- Arizona, Artiodactyla (Even-Toed Ungulates), Cervidae (Caribou Deer Moose Wapiti), Fagaceae (Oaks), Fagales, Forage, Forest Restoration, Microhabitat, Odocoileus hemionus (Mule Deer), Pinus ponderosa, Quercus gambelii (Gambel Oak Gambel's Oak)