What does this research mean for the field?

Migratory movements of red deer substantially expand the spatial extent of nitrogen redistribution across alpine landscapes, enabling the upward transport of nutrients against gravitational forces, whereas resident behaviors primarily drive local element transport. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate how migratory versus resident movement patterns in red deer alter the spatial extent, magnitude, and topographic pathways of nitrogen redistribution across an alpine landscape.

September 7, 2026Journal of Animal EcologyOpen Access

Elements on the move: How ungulate migration expands Alpine biogeochemical footprints

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

To evaluate how migratory versus resident movement patterns in red deer alter the spatial extent, magnitude, and topographic pathways of nitrogen redistribution across an alpine landscape.
Constructed a spatially explicit agent-based model using GPS telemetry from 2021 to 2024 and remote sensing vegetation data in the Central-Eastern Italian Alps.
Simulated hourly nitrogen intake, assimilation, and excretion across four scenarios: mixed migratory-resident (300 deer), fully resident (300 deer), reduced resident (150 deer), and reduced migratory (150 deer).
Tree cover density and slope were positive predictors of nitrogen transport across all scenarios, whereas proximity to roads and trails decreased inputs and created closed nutrient systems.
Migration expanded the spatial footprint of nitrogen redistribution and facilitated the upward transport of elements against gravity into high-elevation alpine habitats, a pathway missing under resident-only scenarios.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Implication

Agent-based modeling reveals that seasonal migration drives upslope nitrogen redistribution in red deer, indicating that declining movement disrupts alpine nutrient cycling.

Cite This Study

Ferraro et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9e85b3c3034f961570dfcb https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.70340

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Agent-based modeling reveals that seasonal migration drives upslope nitrogen redistribution in red deer, indicating that declining movement disrupts alpine nutrient cycling.

Elements on the move: How ungulate migration expands Alpine biogeochemical footprints

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Elements on the move: How ungulate migration expands Alpine biogeochemical footprints

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider