The effect of spatial scale of habitat on abundance of roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) during summer in South Korea

Understanding species-specific habitat preferences provides essential ecological information about interactions among habitat components. In South Korea, roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) are the dominant large herbivorous mammals of the family Cervidae. The increasing populations of these species have led to ecological and economic challenges. Therefore, we investigated the effects of spatial scale characteristics on the habitat preferences of roe deer and water deer. From June to August each year between 2021 and 2023, we calculated the relative abundance index (RAI) using camera-trap data and analyzed patch characteristics in the study area using remote sensing techniques, including land-use classification based on Landsat 8 satellite imagery. The study area spanned from Chunwangbong to Myojeckryong within the Baekdudaegan Protected Area in South Korea. The RAI of water deer was positively correlated with the total edge length and the total area of specific land cover types, namely agricultural and forested areas. In contrast, the RAI of roe deer was positively correlated with the mean patch size and the total area of forest and water cover types. During the study period, which coincided with the rutting or prerutting season for roe deer and the nursing period for water deer, habitat preference was positively associated with the patch size of forest and agricultural areas. However, spatial scale preferences differed between species: roe deer favored large, contiguous patches, whereas water deer preferred habitats with more diverse patch types. Our results indicate that habitat preferences are linked to behavioral characteristics driven by species-specific life cycles.