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FACTORS AFFECTING DENSITIES OF WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) IN EASTERN DECIDUOUS FOREST: THE ROLES OF AND SURROUNDING LAND USE, FOREST HABITAT EDGE, AND INVASIVE SHRUBS

Peterson, Thomas E
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1526295117069628

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science, Miami University, Biological Sciences.
I measured the relative importance of honeysuckle invasion, forest edge, and surrounding land uses on the population densities of white-tailed deer in southwest Ohio. I tested the following hypotheses: (1) deer populations are facilitated in forests invaded by honeysuckle, (2) forest stands that are surrounded by agriculture support higher deer densities in summer due to the availability of supplemental food outside of forest patches; and (3) forest stands with the greatest amount of edge habitat support higher deer densities due to deer use of both forest and open habitats. Using line transects established in eight early to mid-successional forest stands, I estimated deer population densities in early spring (March - April) and summer (June - July) and compared them to levels of honeysuckle invasion along transects. Distance sampling methods were used to estimate deer densities from pellet counts, and stand-level estimates of deer densities were related to honeysuckle cover along transects, as well as the amounts of forest edge habitat and different land cover types in the landscapes surrounding each forest stand using linear models. I found honeysuckle cover, mixed forest cover, and deciduous forest cover were strong predictor variables of deer densities in Southwest Ohio.
Thomas Crist, Dr. (Advisor)
42 p.
Biology; Ecology
Distance Sampling; Pellet Group; Population Density; White-tailed Deer; Odocoileus virginianus; Forest; Amur Honeysuckle; Lonicera mackii

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Peterson, T. E. (2018). FACTORS AFFECTING DENSITIES OF WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) IN EASTERN DECIDUOUS FOREST: THE ROLES OF AND SURROUNDING LAND USE, FOREST HABITAT EDGE, AND INVASIVE SHRUBS [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1526295117069628

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Peterson, Thomas. FACTORS AFFECTING DENSITIES OF WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) IN EASTERN DECIDUOUS FOREST: THE ROLES OF AND SURROUNDING LAND USE, FOREST HABITAT EDGE, AND INVASIVE SHRUBS. 2018. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1526295117069628.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Peterson, Thomas. "FACTORS AFFECTING DENSITIES OF WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) IN EASTERN DECIDUOUS FOREST: THE ROLES OF AND SURROUNDING LAND USE, FOREST HABITAT EDGE, AND INVASIVE SHRUBS." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1526295117069628

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.