. Ecology of sympatric populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer in a prairie environment. White-tailed deer; Mule deer. reproduction, and increasing mortality until population growth ceases. Decreases in deer numbers in this density-dependent model are accompanied by decreasing mortality and increasing reproduction until population growth resumes or stability is achieved. Because of possible concern about the precision of population estimates and composition during 1975-1982, we statistically evaluated density relationships in terms of mortality rates only through the period 1982-1987. D
. Ecology of sympatric populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer in a prairie environment. White-tailed deer; Mule deer. reproduction, and increasing mortality until population growth ceases. Decreases in deer numbers in this density-dependent model are accompanied by decreasing mortality and increasing reproduction until population growth resumes or stability is achieved. Because of possible concern about the precision of population estimates and composition during 1975-1982, we statistically evaluated density relationships in terms of mortality rates only through the period 1982-1987. Data were most complete and precise and the population peaked and declined significantly through that period. In contrast to the pattern normally expected for ungulates (Caughley 1976), mortality rate of fawns during summer was negatively correlated with numbers of fawns, females, and total deer (r = , n=5, /><). That is, when densities were high fawn mortality rates were low. This negative density relationship also was evident in general patterns of reproduction and recruitment during the years of population growth after 1975; most seasonal fawmdoe ratios increased to highs as population size and density approached peaks during the early 1980s. None of this implies a cause-and-effect relationship between high population density and low fawn mortality. Instead, it indicates that deer numbers or density per se was not a major factor influencing declining fawn recruitment that occurred from autumn 1983 through spring 1986. It also indicated that there were no "compensatory" decreases in fawn mortality nor compensatory increases in fawn recruitment rates resulting from reduced mule deer Fawn mortality varied widely among years, but was not directly influenced by deer numbers or density on the study area. (Photo by: Alan K. Wood) Among adults, only mortality rate of adult females over summer was correlated with population density. During 1982-198
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