The Influence of Habitat Factors on Relative Abundance of Roe Deer Capreolus pygargus During the Summer in a Baekdudaegan Protected Area in South Korea

Understanding the relationship between habitat variables and species-specific habitat preferences is crucial for effective species conservation and management.We investigated the effect of vegetation structure on the habitat preference of roe deer Capreolus pygargus.From April 2021 to December 2023, camera traps were deployed in the Baekdudaegan Protected Area in South Korea.Vegetation structure surveys were conducted annually from June to August between 2021 and 2023.Prior to the field surveys, we assessed the homogeneity of the survey area using K-means clustering.The relative abundance index (RAI) of roe deer was higher in areas with relatively higher elevation compared to those at lower elevations.Differences in roe deer RAI based on elevation levels were not due to habitat conditions but rather to differences in protective strength.Roe deer RAI was correlated with the coverage of arborescent vegetation and plant composition, coverage of deciduous trees between 1 m and 2 m above ground, and the presence of Poaceae and Liliaceae species under 1 m.In South Korea, Cervidae primarily feed on plants under 2 m in height.Therefore, shrub and grass coverage, which represent the availability of food resources for roe deer, correlated with their RAI.Moreover, the composition of vegetation in the habitat also influenced roe deer preferences, with less preference shown for certain food resources.Our study suggests that the quantity and availability of food resources are important factors influencing habitat preference in roe deer.