Forage‐mediated density and climate effects on body mass in a temperate herbivore: a mechanistic approach

• DOI: 10.1890/13-0956.1
• Publication Date: 2013-10-24T21:36:06Z
• Authors: Marie-Andrée Giroux; Jean-Pierre Tremblay; Marie Anouk Simard; Nigel G. Yoccoz; Steeve D. Côté
• Keywords: Odocoileus; Ungulate

The interplay between density and climate in shaping the dynamics of herbivore populations is widely acknowledged, current research fueled by identification mechanisms underlying their effects on individuals populations. We assessed whether forage availability mediated winter body mass white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) yearlings experimentally reducing to 7.5 15 deer/km 2 during eight growing seasons, using causal (graphical) hierarchical models Bayesian modeling assess relationships. abundance preferred decreased with varied quadratically (positive parabola) North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), whereas fall increased spring mass. Fall did not differ reduced densities, yet experimental were 30% heavier than harvested at ambient densities. Hence, simultaneously mass, which was also influenced carry‐over Our findings increase our ability anticipate how temperate large herbivores will respond ongoing changes intrinsic (e.g., large‐herbivore density) extrinsic climate) factors.