Red deer (Cervus elaphus) spatial use in the Italian Alps: home range patterns, seasonal migration, and effects of snow and winter feeding

• DOI: 10.1400/53712
• Publication Date: 2006-04-01
• Authors: LUCCARINI S; MAURI L; CIUTI S; LAMBERTI P; APOLLONIO, Marco
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences

The spatial behaviour of 20 red deer was analyzed for the first time in the Italian Alps using radio-telemetry, from 1995 to 1997 in the Tarvisio forest, and from 1995 to 1999 in the Susa valley. Two distinct strategies of spatial behaviour were displayed in both study areas, i.e., migratory and stationary. Migratory red deer showed significantly larger annual home ranges, as each year they reached distant summer areas located at higher altitudes. Stationary red deer, instead, remained in the same areas throughout the year, with the exception of summer movement to neighbouring areas at higher altitude. As a consequence of these movements towards and from summer areas, spring and autumn migratory home ranges were significantly larger, while stationary home ranges recorded during spring, summer, and autumn were comparable in size. In winter home range sizes were limited in all monitored deer whenever snow cover reduced their mobility. Migratory red deer movements proved to be markedly affected by snowfall, ...