Understanding Importance of Ecotones in Pennsylvania's White-tailed Deer Population

• Logan M. Keifman

  Juniata College

  Author

An organism’s habitat plays a critical role in sustaining its success. In Pennsylvania – a state whose land area is 58% forested – White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) maintain a large, healthy population abundance. As such, many would believe that areas of forest thus account for successes of this species. However, White-tailed deer are habitat generalists surviving in various habitats. Namely, ecotones – transition areas between two different communities – are thought to be the most favored habitat among White-tails, as they provide the species ideal forms of food and cover. To understand this relationship between White-tails and their habitat, data was gathered via an annual report from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management Research Division (Wallingford, 2000) regarding percent forest cover and estimated winter population densities of White-tailed deer for PA counties from the years 1995-2000. From this data, correlation and regression analyses were completed. Results of these analyses indicated that a statistically significant inverse relationship exists between percent forest cover and average estimated winter population densities of White-tailed deer in Pennsylvania. Thus, it could be determined that forests do not necessarily indicate the success of White-tail populations, offering credence to the idea purported by previous research that ecotones are among the most favorable habitats for White-tailed deer. Wildlife biologists could utilize these findings to better conserve and/or control White-tailed deer populations in other parts of the world where they are either limited or particularly abundant.

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