Construction of changes in the density and distribution of sika deer (Cervus nippon) through time based on dendrochronological method
1999
Sakuragi, M. (Hokkaido Univ., Sapporo (Japan). Faculty of Agriculture) | Marutani, T. | Doi, T.
Changes in the density and distribution of Sika deer within a 520 ha catchment in Kyushu mountain range were estimated by dendrochronological method. Through previous studies and investigating the present relationships between density of faecal pellets and browsing rate, annual bark stripping rates were shown to be an indicator of past deer densities by employing dendrochronological techniques. Young (from 4 to 10 years old) Japanese cypress plantations were shown to have high carrying capacity through the relationship between year after planted and faecal pellet densities. Increases in the area of young plantation over the whole catchment during the period front 1982 to 1991 coincided with a measured increase in rates of bark stripping. After 1992, the area of young Plantation declined, but rates of bark stripping remained high. These results suggest that initial expansion of young forest plantations caused increases in the carrying capacity for deer and consequently increases in deer population size. It is suggested that increased densities of deer, caused increased pressure on available food resources, and consequently deer proceeded to disperse and throughout the whole catchment. Hence, the past and present densities and distribution of deer seems to have been greatly affected by the size and arrangement of young forest plantations
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