A new insight for monitoring ungulates: density surface modelling of roe deer in a Mediterranean habitat

摘要: Ungulates are especially difficult to monitor, and population estimates challenging obtain; nevertheless, such information is fundamental for effective management. This particularly important expanding species as roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), whose populations dramatically increased in number geographic distribution over the last decades. In an attempt follow trends assess ecology, methodological advances were recently achieved by combining line or point sampling with systems (GIS). this study, we combined density surface modelling (DSM) transect survey predict northeastern Portugal. was based on pellet group counts a function of environmental factors while taking into account probability detecting pellets conversion relate animal density. We estimated global 3.01 animals/100 ha (95 % CI 0.37–3.51) 32.82 % CV. Roe densities increasing distance roads well higher percentage cover areas decreased human populations. developed spatial method can be advantageous space through identification key influencing abundance. Furthermore, maps subset will enable visually depict abundance wild assessment where ungulate impacts should minimized, allowing adaptive management time.