Estimating Population Density of the White-Tailed Deer in Finland using Non-Invasive Genetic Sampling and Spatial Capture–Recapture

摘要: The white-tailed deer is an important game species in Finland. We evaluated the potential of estimating pre-harvest density using non-invasive DNA collection within a spatial capture–recapture (SCR) framework. sampled faeces during three weekly visits autumn 2015 from 180, 20 × m plots clustered groups four. Individual identification was based on 12–14 microsatellites. Of 245 faecal samples collected, individual could be identified only 36 (15%). 27 individuals which seven were recaptured. SCR model produced plausible estimate (3.5 indiv. km–2) similar to estimates dung count and large-scale national estimates, although posteriori simulation showed likely positive biased. Although we found that can provide deer, approach not without challenges discuss these suggesting possible solutions.