Title: Assess Demographic and Physiological Status of Columbian Black-tailed Deer in Olympic National Park
Status:
Completed
Synopsis: Columbian black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk are dominant features of coniferous forest systems of Olympic National Park (OLYM), Washington. They profoundly influence forest landscapes and vegetative structure, provide prey for healthy populations of cougar and black-bear, and once supported a population of gray wolves. Biologists and managers on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, and throughout western Washington, are concerned about the potential population-level effects of feeble deer with symptoms of excessive hair-loss. This research evaluates statistical methods used to estimate abundance of deer and elk populations in OLYM. USGS scientists are also identifying factors influencing physical health of deer and developing a program for long-term monitoring of the park's deer and elk populations.
Related Publications:
Jenkins, K.J., Manly, B., 2008, A double-observer method for reducing bias in faecal pellet surveys of forest ungulates: Journal of Applied Ecology, v. 45, p. 1339-1348. [Highlight][Abs][FullText] Catalog No: 1717
Contact: Jenkins, Kurt J. - Research Wildlife Biologist Phone: 360-565-3041 Email: kurt_jenkins@usgs.gov
