Competitor densities, habitat, and weather: effects on interspecific interactions between wild deer species.

摘要: There is a growing interest on the potential interplay between weather, habitat, and interspecific competition population dynamics of wild herbivores. Favorable environmental conditions may buffer negative effects competition; conversely, be expected to stronger under harsh conditions. We investigated relationships competitor abundance, habitat cover density local distribution medium-sized herbivore, roe deer Capreolus capreolus, as well its spatial overlap with fallow Dama dama in Mediterranean protected area. Over 11 years (2007-2017), was not affected by spring-summer rainfall previous year decreased increasing year. Hence, over considered temporal scale, results supported major role weather influencing trends deer. At finer occupancy negatively abundance deer, especially "poorer" habitats. found slight support for positive effect overlap. Moreover, fine-scale species increased decreasing spring-summer. Fallow were introduced our study area historical times their superior competitors has been also other areas. suggest during season vegetation (i.e. scarce rainfall) triggering ecological overlap, emphasizing competition.