Fallow and Muntjac Deer in Lowland Woodland

FALLOW AND MUNTJAC DEER IN LOWLAND WOODLAND

This D.Phil project, funded primarily by BDS with CASE support from CEH and an initial grant from Oxford University Chest, aims to answer four core questions with respect to a population of fallow and muntjac deer in a representative lowland wood:

(1)     How do changes in population density change impacts on habitat?

(2)     What impact do changes in density have on the condition and reproductive success of the deer them selves?

(3)     How can one best measure populations density so that one knows how many deer are contributing to a given impact level?

(4)     What are the relative diet, demographic and physical effects of population change between species and within species at the sex and age class level, both in terms of question 1 and 2?

The project is progressing well.  One of the core aims (assessing deer population counting methods); analysis of standing crop, clearance plot, distance sampling (by thermal imaging) and cohort (from culls) data should be at the report stage by late 2002.

Twelve one weeks culls over four seasons have provided a great deal of raw data on the diet, condition and reproductive success and status of Fallow and Muntjac deer.  These data will contribute to resolving the remaining core aims, which deal with density dependent effects on diet and condition.

The researcher (Stephen Ellwood) successfully transferred from probationary to full research student status in September 2001, just less than one year after his registration which is the shortest permissible period.  This involved delivering a seminar to members of the Department of Zoology, the submission of a report to his "Thesis panel" (copied to the BDS), and passing a short viva.

For more details contact Stephen Ellwood