Research detail
Forestry Commission Deer Research
Population Ecology
Current research in this programme is aimed at increasing our understanding of population dynamics and behaviour, improving our ability to estimate population density and relating density to impact on crops and habitats. The programme also has the important task of translating the results of research into practical advice for woodland managers. Scientists engaged in the programme are also responsible for providing FC support to other organisations engaged in deer management, such as the Deer Initiative in England and Wales and the Deer Commission for Scotland
Impact study
A review of the methods available to assess deer damage to woodland habitats. The review has recommended methods for the assessment of bark stripping and fraying, browsing damage to restocking and natural regeneration and browsing damage to ground flora. These methods have been written up and will be tested in 04/05
Improved venison quality for sustainable deer farming
To provide robust guidelines for producing consistent, high quality venison without compromising animal welfare, and lead to a more sustainable future for deer farming
Population dynamics and modelling
Modelling deer population dynamics
To set appropriate cull targets deer managers need to predict the effect of culling on future deer populations. To do this they need firstly to have an estimate of current deer numbers. To predict the population in the following year they need to add the number of young deer likely to be recruited to the population and subtract the number likely to die. Forest Research has built a population dynamics model, which runs in Microsoft® Excel®, to help with this process.
Dr Helen Armstrong
Northern Research Station
Estimating deer recruitment rates from cull data
To predict future populations of deer, deer managers need to estimate how many young deer are likely to be recruited to the population in any year. For this they need estimates of the number of female deer in the population and the number of young deer that will be born, and survive to adulthood, per female. The latter is the recruitment rate. An estimate of the recruitment rate is the ratio of young deer to adult females in the culled population. For this estimate to be precise, a large number of culled deer is needed. To provide deer managers with this information data on deer culled from Forestry Commission land since 1999 is being analysed. This will provide estimates of recruitment rate specific to particular Forest Districts. It is hoped that recruitment rates from site factors and deer density can also be predicted
Dr Helen Armstrong
Northern Research Station
Methods of assessing deer population density
Using dung counts
Much of the monitoring of deer density that is carried out by the Forestry Commision on the national forest estate in Scotland has been done on contract by Strath Caulaidh Ltd. using a dung counting method. The Forestry Commission commissioned Strath Caulaidh Ltd. to write up, and publish, their methods. A second paper discussing the need to adjust counts for the number of deer culled during the faecal accumulation period has been submitted for publication. A full description, and justification, of the method will be published in the near future.
Using thermal imaging
Thermal imagers detect the radiant heat energy emitted from warm-bodied animals, and can make nocturnal and camouflaged animals highly conspicuous. Large mammals can be detected at distances of up to 2 km. However, animals’ heat signature can be concealed by vegetation. Since 1995, methods have been developed to obtain estimates of population density and trend using distance sampling, which compensates for the proportion of animals concealed in vegetation. Observations are made at night, when deer are more likely to make use of fields or open areas. This approach has proved very effective in the lowlands, where dense coniferous thicket vegetation is less extensive than in the uplands. Thermal imaging can also provide information on deer species composition, group sizes and habitat use, and recent research suggests that these factors need to be taken into account when assessing deer impacts at a given density. Options are currently being sought to improve methods of density estimation using thermal imaging, to make field methods as simple as possible, and to broaden the application of information that can be obtained.
Dr Robin Gill
Alice Holt Lodge
Deer impacts
Assessing the effects of bark stripping by deer
Damage by bark stripping is a common problem caused by some herbivores in woodland. However, most bark wounds heal over and it is often unclear just how serious the consequences are for the tree. An experiment started in 1978 is nearing completion and will help confirm the long-term effects of bark stripping. This involved deliberate damage to Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine trees and subsequent monitoring of the effects on growth rates, stem decay and mortality.
Dr Robin Gill
Alice Holt Lodge
Methods of assessing the impact of deer on woodland
Damage assessments are a key element of deer management in woodlands. Earlier work, carried out in the 1980’s focussed on damage assessment methods suited to plantation woodlands. However, with the increased focus on natural regeneration and woodland bio-diversity, new methods are required. Three methods are being developed and tested:
• Two of the methods are intended to provide estimates of the density of tree seedlings and the proportion damaged
• The third method is a ‘qualitative’ method, for assessing density of seedlings, proportion damaged, as well as browsing on under-storey plants and botanical composition. It is intended to be a relatively simple method to apply and interpret. Field trials of these methods are now underway, with the objectives of establishing the practicalities and performance of each method and assessing sample size requirements.
Dr Robin Gill
Alice Holt Lodge
Seerad
1. To critically review the methods currently used to monitor deer movements in Scotland. 2. To review and explore innovative or novel technologies from similar and other fields worldwide and assess their potential suitability. 3. Where appropriate to design and conduct field trials of the most promising technologies, bearing in mind the relevant issues within Scotland. 4. Report and recommend on the cost and effectiveness of techniques and technologies available now and in the near future.
Work packages
Work package 2.1 Control of viral diseases of livestock - Project 2 Pathogenesis and control of herpesvirus infection 1. To determine the molecular and cellular mechanism of the pathogenesis of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). 2. To develop an immunisation control strategy for MCF / herpesviruses. 3. To develop specific virus and serological diagnostic tests for important endemic disease.
Work package 3.6 Functioning of species, habitats and ecosystems - Module 2: Trophic interactions and ecosystem dynamics 1. Identify how resource-mediated competition affects range and habitat use in coexisting deer and sheep and how this is moderated by the effect of parasites on host fitness and grazing behaviour 2. Assess the evidence for competition between deer and sheep at landscape scales. 3. Assess how habitat types, climate and herbivore density and diversity interact to impact on tick-borne diseases 4. Assess the consequences of changes in the level of herbivory on vegetation dynamics and how does this cascade through upland ecosystems.
Work package 3.6 Functioning of species, habitats and ecosystems - Module 3: Spatial foraging processes: implications for biodiversity 1. Identify how large herbivore foraging processes interact with the spatial distribution of plants and their defences to influence biodiversity and the potential for invasive species to invade 2. Identify how behavioural characteristics of large herbivores influence their foraging behaviour and hence their suitability as agents for specific biodiversity goals ...
Work package 3.7 Management of biodiversity change Module 3. Management of biodiversity change: conservation and restoration 1. Biodiversity conservation requirements within the context of maintenance of ‘Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition’ (GAEC) and its interaction with other drivers 2. The effects of fragmentation and herbivory on conservation of upland native woodlands and their associated biodiversity: genetic and spatial relationships