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How does local weather predict red deer home range size at different temporal scales?
Inger Maren Rivrud1, Leif Egil Loe, Atle Mysterud
1Department of Biology, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway.
The Journal of Animal Ecology
|July 20, 2010
Summary
Local climate significantly impacts red deer home range size, with effects varying by season and temporal scale. Snow cover directly influences home range, while temperature and precipitation indirectly affect it through plant growth.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Animal Behaviour
- Climate Science
Background:
- Climate change impacts vertebrate populations, with less known about its effects on animal behavior compared to demographics.
- Understanding climate mechanisms influencing animal behavior, such as home range size, is crucial for predicting population responses.
- The appropriate temporal scale for measuring climate variables in relation to animal behavior remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how local climate variables influence home range sizes of female red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) at four different temporal scales.
- To differentiate between direct and indirect climate mechanisms affecting red deer home range size.
- To explore the relationship between climate, temporal scales, and home range size variation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized GPS telemetry data from 47 female red deer in Norway.
- Applied the Börger-method to analyze home range sizes at weekly, daily, biweekly, and monthly temporal scales.
- Correlated home range size with local climate variables (temperature, precipitation, day length) across different time scales.
Main Results:
- Home range size correlated positively with winter temperature and negatively with summer temperature across all scales.
- Precipitation effects were season- and scale-specific, with significant impact from snow cover, indicating direct climate effects.
- Climate effects on home range size were stronger at longer temporal scales (monthly-biweekly) than shorter ones (weekly-daily).
Conclusions:
- Local climate, particularly temperature and snow cover, directly and indirectly influences red deer home range size.
- The temporal scale of climate measurement is critical for understanding its impact on animal behavior.
- This research provides insights into the behavioral basis of climate change responses, aiding predictions of future global warming impacts.
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