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SEEFOR (South-east European forestry), Vol. 6 No. 1, 2015.

Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.15177/seefor.15-07

The Influence of Snow Cover Changes on Red Deer (Cervus elaphus L.) Migrations in the Western Part of Gorski Kotar Region in Croatia

Josip malnar ; Croatian Forests Ltd. Zagreb, Forest Administration Delnice, Forest Office Gerovo, Pilanska 13, HR-51304 Gerovo, Croatia
Marijan Grubešić ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Svetošimunska 25, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Damir Ugarković orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-5192-9974 ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, Svetošimunska 25, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia

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Abstract

Background and Purpose: Animal migrations are a direct result of reproduction, behaviour characteristics, predators, population density, disturbance, loss of habitat, climatic, vegetational and nutritional factors. The availability and accessibility of natural food in winter months is dependent on snow cover. The main objective of this study was to determine the migrational activities of red deer and to examine the dependency between migrations and climatic factors.
Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in the northwest Dinarid mountains, i.e. in the western part of Gorski Kotar region, which represents a large integral forest complex, distinctive due to its significant vertical drops, diverse relief characteristics and habitat conditions. Data on red deer migrations was collected over a 12 year period from hunting records, gamekeeper logs and records from game counting and monitoring.
Results and Conclusions: The results of the macroclimatic analysis show a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the monitored weather stations in the study area. The Klana site stood out as the most appropriate red deer winter habitat, based on climatic conditions. Climatic conditions play a key role in seasonal red deer migrations or non-migrations. The Crni Lug site was assessed to be the least favourable due to macroclimatic conditions (snow depth).

Keywords

snow cover; red deer (Cervus elaphus L.); migration; Gorski Kotar

Hrčak ID:

139169

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/139169

Publication date:

19.5.2015.

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