SPACE USE BY RED DEER IN A MEDITERRANEAN ECOSYSTEM AS DETERMINED BY RADIO-TRACKING

Space use, movements and activity rhythms of radio-tagged red deer were studied in a Mediterranean environment. The deer were found to be mainly crepuscular, nocturnal activity being higher than diurnal activity, which differs from studies of northern European populations of the species. Home ranges were smaller than most reported in the literature, that of the male being about two or three times larger than those of the females. Daily movements ranged from 3 to 4 km day-1 according to the size of the home range. Vegetation cover was used more by the male and by all individuals during the summer, whilst open areas were used during the winter and spring, probably because of the high grass production in these seasons. The differences found with respect to other populations indicate that further studies in Mediterranean ecosystems are required to provide a basis of knowledge for management decisions.