Distribution and habitat preference of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) in Düzce Province of Turkey

Abstract

Distribution and habitat preference of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) in Düzce Province of Turkey

Abstract: The roe deer is an important game animal in Turkey. The aim of the current study was to determine the likely distribution area and habitat preferences of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus (L., 1758)) in Duzce Province. The species was observed by wildlife camera traps and direct or indirect observation methods in different habitats in a total of 75 sampling sites during the period between 2013 and 2015. Roe deer avoid human contact. The species are found mostly (79%) in fir and beech forests, preferably those with a closed canopy cover but without dense understory. The numbers of individual of male are higher than the female. They are most often (74%) observed during feeding, with activity peaking at dawn and dusk. The roe deer has a wide distribution range in Turkey and has great potential as a game animal. However, its prevalence is not sufficient in all regions. 

Keywords: Wildlife camera trap, stand, humans

Karaca (Capreolus capreolus L.)’nın Düzce’de yayılışı ve habitat tercihi

Özet: Karaca önemli av hayvanlarımızdan birisidir. Bu çalışma ile Düzce ilinde Karaca (Capreolus capreolus L.)’nın muhtemel yayılış alanlarını ve habitat tercihlerini belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bunun için tür 2013 ve 2015 yıllarında farklı habitatlarda fotokapan ve doğrudan ve dolaylı gözlenmiştir. Tür insan etkisinden mümkün olduğunca kaçınmaktadır. Çoğunlukla göknar ve kayın ormanlarını ve tercihen kapalı alanları kullanmaktadır. Ancak çok sık alt tabakayı tercih etmemektedir. Erkek birey dişilere göre daha fazla tespit edilmiştir. Alanda daha çok beslenme aktivitesi gösteren tür sabah ve akşam saatlerinde aktiftir. Ülkemiz av hayvanları arasında potansiyeli yüksek olan türün Düzce ilinde geniş yayılışı bulunmakta ancak görünme sıklığı her alanda yeterli seviyede bulunmamaktadır. 

Anahtar kelimeler: Fotokapan, meşcere, insan

Received (Geliş): 02.03.2016 - Revised (Düzeltme): 05.04.2016 -   Accepted (Kabul): 18.04.2016

Cite (Atıf): Keten, A., 2017. Distribution and habitat preference of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) in Düzce province of Turkey. Journal of the Faculty of Forestry Istanbul University 67(1): 22-28. DOI: 10.17099/jffiu.89577

Karaca (Capreolus capreolus L.)’nın Düzce’de yayılışı ve habitat tercihi

Abstract

Distribution and habitat preference of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) in Düzce Province of Turkey

Abstract: The roe deer is an important game animal in Turkey. The aim of the current study was to determine the likely distribution area and habitat preferences of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus (L., 1758)) in Duzce Province. The species was observed by wildlife camera traps and direct or indirect observation methods in different habitats in a total of 75 sampling sites during the period between 2013 and 2015. Roe deer avoid human contact. The species are found mostly (79%) in fir and beech forests, preferably those with a closed canopy cover but without dense understory. The numbers of individual of male are higher than the female. They are most often (74%) observed during feeding, with activity peaking at dawn and dusk. The roe deer has a wide distribution range in Turkey and has great potential as a game animal. However, its prevalence is not sufficient in all regions.

Keywords: Wildlife camera trap, stand, humans

Karaca (Capreolus capreolus L.)’nın Düzce’de yayılışı ve habitat tercihi

Özet: Karaca önemli av hayvanlarımızdan birisidir. Bu çalışma ile Düzce ilinde Karaca (Capreolus capreolus L.)’nın muhtemel yayılış alanlarını ve habitat tercihlerini belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bunun için tür 2013 ve 2015 yıllarında farklı habitatlarda fotokapan ve doğrudan ve dolaylı gözlenmiştir. Tür insan etkisinden mümkün olduğunca kaçınmaktadır. Çoğunlukla göknar ve kayın ormanlarını ve tercihen kapalı alanları kullanmaktadır. Ancak çok sık alt tabakayı tercih etmemektedir. Erkek birey dişilere göre daha fazla tespit edilmiştir. Alanda daha çok beslenme aktivitesi gösteren tür sabah ve akşam saatlerinde aktiftir. Ülkemiz av hayvanları arasında potansiyeli yüksek olan türün Düzce ilinde geniş yayılışı bulunmakta ancak görünme sıklığı her alanda yeterli seviyede bulunmamaktadır.

Anahtar kelimeler: Fotokapan, meşcere, insan

Received (Geliş): 02.03.2016 - Revised (Düzeltme): 05.04.2016 -   Accepted (Kabul): 18.04.2016

Cite (Atıf): Keten, A., 2017. Distribution and habitat preference of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) in Düzce province of Turkey. Journal of the Faculty of Forestry Istanbul University 67(1): 22-28. DOI: 10.17099/jffiu.89577

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