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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Robustness of adult female survival maintains a high-density sika deer (Cervus nippon) population following the initial irruption

M. Ueno A H , H. Iijima B , K. Takeshita C , H. Takahashi D , T. Yoshida E , H. Uehara E , H. Igota E , Y. Matsuura F , T. Ikeda C , M. Azumaya G and K. Kaji C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Eastern Field Station, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hokkaido Research Organisation, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-8588, Japan.

B Laboratory of Wildlife Biology, Department of Forest Science, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan.

C Laboratory of Wildlife Management, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

D Kansai Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Kyoto, Kyoto 612-0855, Japan.

E Department of Environmental and Symbiotic Science, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido 069-8501, Japan.

F Hokkaido Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Sapporo, Hokkaido 062-8516, Japan.

G The Yezo Deer Association, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0803, Japan.

H Corresponding author. Email: jmayueno@gmail.com

Wildlife Research 45(2) 143-154 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR17103
Submitted: 26 July 2017  Accepted: 8 February 2018   Published: 1 May 2018

Abstract

Context: Irruption of large herbivore populations is characterised by three distinct phases: (1) an exponential increase in population to a peak abundance; (2) a population crash; and (3) a second increase to another population peak, typically lower than the first peak of abundance. However, there has been little study of age- and sex-specific factors that affect the post-initial irruption interactions with food sources.

Aims: We aimed to investigate annual survival rates of sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838) in the sequent irruption of a population on Nakanoshima Island, Lake Toya, Japan, with a chronically high density during the period 2002–12.

Methods: Survival monitoring data were obtained for 219 individuals (93 males and 126 females) using radio-collars. Annual survival was quantified, and related factors, i.e. deer abundance and winter severity, were determined by model selection using Akaike information criterion values.

Key Results: The results showed that annual survival rates across sexes and age classes (fawn, yearling, prime-aged, old) decreased with increasing population density, snow depth and winter precipitation. Winter severity had a greater effect on adult survival than density regulation. Nevertheless, female adult survival was maintained at a high level, with a mean of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.80–0.88).

Key conclusions: Robust survival rates for adult females might contribute to the maintenance of a high-density sika deer population in the post-initial irruption.

Implications: We suggest that in the absence of predation and hunting, sika deer population is not able to self-regulate to the density level that avoids an irreversible impact on plants.

Additional keywords: population density, population dynamics, population growth, radio-telemetry, survival, wildlife management.


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