Compensatory mortality in mule deer populations: Final technical report, January 1, 1985--December 31, 1988
The hypothesis of compensatory mortality is critical to understanding population dynamics of wildlife species. This knowledge is vital regardless of whether populations are managed for recreational hunting or habitats are altered via energy development projects. This research tested for compensatory mortality in the juvenile (fawn) portion of a mule deer population. Two experimental manipulations were used employing radio-collared deer. In this study, /approximately/20% of the population was moved from a treatment area and fawn survival rates compared to those on the control area. In the pasture study, deer were stocked in pastures at 3 densities of 44, 89, and 139 deer/km/sup 2/. Lowering of density in the field portion of the study did not appear to affect fawn survival. This is attributed to not removing enough animals for existing range conditions that have been imparted by high deer densities during the last 3 decades. Also, the effect of removal was tempered by an increase in yearling males brought about by antler-point restrictions during the harvest. Deer removed from the treatment area were used to stock 3 large pastures at low, medium, and high densities of 44, 89, and 139 deer/km/sup 2/, respectively. Fawn survival was significantly different between densities (P < 0.001), with the low density pasture showing the highest survival and the high density pasture showing the lowest survival. The main cause of death was starvation suggesting that food supplies were limiting. A strong compensatory mortality process is operating in this mule deer population as evidenced by the pasture data. We did not detect this process in the field portion of the study because the removal of /approximately/20% of the population was insufficient to allow an immediate improvement in fawn nutrition. The density-dependent survival response in the controlled pasture study demonstrated that compensatory mortality is operating in this population. 57 refs., 7 figs., 6 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA). Dept. of Fishery and Wildlife Biology
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-85ER60297
- OSTI ID:
- 6467473
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/60297-5; ON: DE89009076
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Compensatory mortality in mule deer populations. Technical progress report
Compensatory mortality in mule deer populations. Technical progress report
Related Subjects
DEER
POPULATION DYNAMICS
MORTALITY
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
COLORADO
FASTING
FOOD
JUVENILES
MODIFICATIONS
PROGRESS REPORT
ANIMALS
DOCUMENT TYPES
FEDERAL REGION VIII
MAMMALS
NORTH AMERICA
RUMINANTS
USA
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
510100* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (-1989)