Comparing patterns of human harvest and predation by Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx on European roe deer Capreolus capreolus in a temperate forest

摘要: Human harvest is the most important mortality factor for wild ungulates in Europe and can affect several aspects of ungulate biology. There a growing concern about possible negative side effects human harvest. To better understand differences between natural mortality, we compared extent, age sex structure, nutritional condition, spatial temporal distribution harvest, predation by Eurasian lynx Lynx on European roe deer Capreolus capreolus, abundant Europe. Compared to were less likely kill fawns yearlings than adults, among adult deer, more females. The proportion with fat-depleted bone marrow was higher prey harvested animals. Average rate estimated 47.8 per year, considerably lower same area. While increased density, similar across gradient densities. Comparison other countries indicated that vary different parts Variation hunting practices and, even importantly, carnivore may have an role buffering unwanted ungulates.