Dynamics and social issues of overpopulated deer ranges in the United States: a long term assessment

作者：Krausman Paul R^*; Christensen Sonja A; Mcdonald John E; Leopold Bruce D

来源：California Fish and Game, 2014, 100(3): 436-450.

• mule deer
• Odocoileus spp.
• overabundance
• status
• United States
• white-tailed deer
• urbanization

Overabundant deer (Odocoileus spp.) populations can be detrimental to forests, agriculture, transportation, and human safety, and can alter abundance of flora and fauna causing shifts in ecosystem dynamics and sustainability. Deer populations were classified as irruptive, chronic, or troubled in 1947 and 1986 to document changes over 4 decades. We again conducted a survey of deer biologists in 2013 throughout the U.S. to determine how deer population status has changed since 1986. All states surveyed in 1947 and 1986 were included in the survey, and we also included other states to obtain information on status of their deer herds. We contacted the primary deer biologist in each state and asked a series of questions about status of deer. In 1947, biologists in 30 states reported that they had irruptive, chronic, or troubled deer ranges. In 1986 only Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, and Texas reported overpopulated deer ranges. In contrast, in 2013, 18 of 47 states surveyed reported issues with overpopulated deer herds in urban areas. In many states the deer population is at or below biological carrying capacity (K) but exceeds social carrying capacity. Many current issues with white-tailed deer are related to an increasingly urban human population that is less tolerant of deer, and not necessarily with increases in deer populations. Mule deer populations have declined from drought, but humans have also encroached upon winter ranges, thereby causing a deterioration of their habitat.

• 出版日期2014