Comparative use of forest habitats by roe deer and moose in a human-modified landscape in southeastern Norway during winter

摘要: The negative impact of anthropogenic disturbance and land-use changes on large mammals is generally recognized within conservation biology. In southeastern Norway, both moose (Alces alces) roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) occur throughout human-modified landscapes, facilitating an interesting comparative study their habitat use. By using pellet group counts, we looked at the importance forest structure, vegetation characteristics human (e.g., distance to nearest house, paved road, edge between field forest) in shaping winter distribution species multiple spatial scales, non-agricultural habitats. Moose occurred more often areas with higher densities heather Vaccinium sp. ground layer, used open structure. proportion built-up areas, a 1,000-m buffer, negatively influenced occurrence. Roe deciduous trees patches juniper near roads less, but were significantly associated field–forest ecotone. positively 2,500-m buffer. seem be able persist human-dominated possibly due availability edges providing high-quality fodder cover close proximity. Moose, contrary, did not show any preference for disturbance, was only food.