Red deer in the High Tauern - differences and similarities between two study sites regarding the spatio-temporal behaviour and activity of this ungulate species - challenges and approaches
Abstract
Red deer management in the Alps will face major challenges in the coming years due to changing conditions. The multiple use of the landscape, the increasing development of the Alpine region, changes regarding forest use, increasing tourism, but also rising hunting pressure in some areas will affect this ungulate species. In many studies it has already been documented that the above-mentioned conditions have a significant effect on this wild ruminant. In heterogeneous landscapes, where disturbances varies both in space and time, red deer will likely adapt its behaviour to reduce the risk of being disturbed. In the worst case, this ungulate species will retreat to protection forests, susceptible to game damage. This could lead to problems and conflicts. This avoidance behaviour in red deer, makes it further difficult to fulfil the demand of reducing population numbers. In order to be able to deal with the above-mentioned challenges, a well-coordinated deer management is required, where the mentioned conditions, in particular human influences on this species, are taken into account. To establish such a management system a good scientific basis is required. In this context, GPS telemetry can make an important contribution to the understanding of the spatio-temporal habitat use and activity of red deer. For research purposes, red deer was equipped with Global Positioning System collars within two study sites (National Park Hohe Tauern Salzburg & Kaprunertal), located in the High Tauern. Data obtained from these two projects will be combined within the present project in order to get a detailed insight into the spatio-temporal behaviour and activity of red deer in northern parts of the High Tauern. In addition, the behaviour of red deer within the two study sites is to be compared with one another in order to work out similarities and differences. Results of this study will help improve red deer management in Austria.
keywords red deer management spatio-temporal behaviour activity disturbances land use
Publikationen
Zwischenbericht - Rotwild in den Hohen Tauern Unterschiede und Gemeinsamkeiten hinsichtlich des Raum-Zeit-Verhaltens und der Aktivität dieser Wildart beim Vergleich zweier Projektgebiete
Autoren: Griesberger, P Jahr: 2021
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Endbericht - Rotwild in den Hohen Tauern Unterschiede und Gemeinsamkeiten hinsichtlich des Raum-Zeit-Verhaltens und der Aktivität dieser Wildart beim Vergleich zweier Projektgebiete.
Autoren: Griesberger, P Jahr: 2021
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Project staff
Paul Griesberger
Paul Griesberger MSc.
paul.griesberger@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83217
Project Leader
01.02.2021 - 30.09.2021
BOKU partners
External partners
Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Salzburg
none
partner
VetMed, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology
none
partner
Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG
none
partner
Gutsverwaltung Fischhorn GmbH & Co. KG
none
partner