Distribution and habitat preference of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) in Düzce Province of Turkey

Distribution and habitat preference of roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus  L.) in Duzce Province of Turkey Abstract:  The roe deer is an important game animal in Turkey. The aim of the current study was to determine the likely distribution area and habitat preferences of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus (L., 1758)) in Duzce Province. The species was observed by wildlife camera traps and direct or indirect observation methods in different habitats in a total of 75 sampling sites during the period between 2013 and 2015. Roe deer avoid human contact. The species are found mostly (79%) in fir and beech forests, preferably those with a closed canopy cover but without dense understory. The numbers of individual of male are higher than the female. They are most often (74%) observed during feeding, with activity peaking at dawn and dusk. The roe deer has a wide distribution range in Turkey and has great potential as a game animal. However, its prevalence is not sufficient in all regions. Keywords: Wildlife camera trap, stand, humans Karaca ( Capreolus capreolus L. )’nin Duzce’de yayilisi ve habitat tercihi Ozet: Karaca onemli av hayvanlarimizdan birisidir. Bu calisma ile Duzce ilinde Karaca (Capreolus capreolus L.)’nin muhtemel yayilis alanlarini ve habitat tercihlerini belirlenmesi amaclanmistir. Bunun icin tur 2013 ve 2015 yillarinda farkli habitatlarda fotokapan ve dogrudan ve dolayli gozlenmistir. Tur insan etkisinden mumkun oldugunca kacinmaktadir. Cogunlukla goknar ve kayin ormanlarini ve tercihen kapali alanlari kullanmaktadir. Ancak cok sik alt tabakayi tercih etmemektedir. Erkek birey disilere gore daha fazla tespit edilmistir. Alanda daha cok beslenme aktivitesi gosteren tur sabah ve aksam saatlerinde aktiftir. Ulkemiz av hayvanlari arasinda potansiyeli yuksek olan turun Duzce ilinde genis yayilisi bulunmakta ancak gorunme sikligi her alanda yeterli seviyede bulunmamaktadir. Anahtar kelimeler: Fotokapan, mescere, insan Received (Gelis):  02.03.2016 -  Revised (Duzeltme):  05.04.2016 - Accepted (Kabul):  18.04.2016 Cite (Atif):  Keten, A., 2017. Distribution and habitat preference of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) in Duzce province of Turkey.  Journal of the Faculty of Forestry Istanbul University  67(1): 22-28. DOI: 10.17099/jffiu.89577