Dataset Information

Rapid digitization to reclaim thematic maps of white-tailed deer density from 1982 and 2003 in the conterminous US.

ABSTRACT: Background:Despite availability of valuable ecological data in published thematic maps, manual methods to transfer published maps to a more accessible digital format are time-intensive. Application of object-based image analysis makes digitization faster. Methods:Using object-based image analysis followed by random forests classification, we rapidly digitized choropleth maps of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) densities in the conterminous US during 1982 and 2001 to 2005 (hereafter, 2003), allowing access to deer density information stored in images. Results:The digitization process took about one day each per deer density map, of which about two hours was computer processing time, which will differ due to factors such as resolution and number of objects. Deer were present in 4.75 million km2 (60% of the area) and 5.56 million km2 (70%) during 1982 and 2003, respectively. Population and density in areas with deer presence were 17.15 million and 3.6 deer/km2 during 1982 and 29.93 million and 5.4 deer/km2 during 2003. Greatest densities were 7.2 deer/km2 in Georgia during 1982 and 14.6 deer/km2 in Wisconsin during 2003. Six states had deer densities ?9.8 deer/km2 during 2003. Colorado, Idaho, and Oregon had greatest increases in population and area of deer presence, and deer expansion is likely to continue into western states. Error in these estimates may be similar to error resulting from differential reporting by state agencies. Deer densities likely are within historical levels in most of the US. Discussion:This method rapidly reclaimed informational value of deer density maps, enabling greater analysis, and similarly may be applied to digitize a variety of published maps to geographic information system layers, which permit greater analysis.

SUBMITTER: Hanberry B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6982413 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Rapid digitization to reclaim thematic maps of white-tailed deer density from 1982 and 2003 in the conterminous US.

Hanberry Brice B Hanberry Phillip P

PeerJ 20200122

<h4>Background</h4>Despite availability of valuable ecological data in published thematic maps, manual methods to transfer published maps to a more accessible digital format are time-intensive. Application of object-based image analysis makes digitization faster.<h4>Methods</h4>Using object-based image analysis followed by random forests classification, we rapidly digitized choropleth maps of white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) densities in the conterminous US during 1982 and 2001 ...[more]

PMID: 32002322

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Project description:Predator species can indirectly affect prey species through the cost of anti-predator behavior responses, which may involve shifts in occupancy, space use, or movement. Quantifying the various strategies implemented by prey species to avoid adverse interactions with predators can lead to a better understanding of potential population-level repercussions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine predator-prey interactions by quantifying the effect of predator species presence on detection rates of prey species, using coyotes (Canis latrans) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Central Appalachian forests of the eastern United States as a model predator-prey system. To test two competing hypotheses related to interspecific interactions, we modeled species detections from 319 camera traps with a two-species occupancy model that incorporated a continuous-time detection process. We found that white-tailed deer occupancy was independent of coyote occupancy, but white-tailed deer were more frequently detectable and had greater detection intensity at sites where coyotes were present, regardless of vegetation-related covariates. In addition, white-tailed deer detection rates at sites with coyotes were highest when presumed forage availability was relatively low. These findings suggest that white-tailed deer may be exhibiting an active avoidance behavioral response to predators by increasing movement rates when coyotes are present in an area, perhaps due to reactive evasive maneuvers and/or proactive attempts to reduce adverse encounters with them. Concurrently, coyotes could be occupying sites with higher white-tailed deer densities. Because white-tailed deer did not exhibit significant shifts in daily activity patterns based on coyote occupancy, we further suggest that white-tailed deer in our study system generally do not use temporal partitioning as their primary strategy for avoiding encounters with coyotes. Overall, our study implements a recently developed analytical approach for modeling multi-species occupancy from camera traps and provides novel ecological insight into the complex relationships between predator and prey species.

Dataset Information

Rapid digitization to reclaim thematic maps of white-tailed deer density from 1982 and 2003 in the conterminous US.

Publications

Rapid digitization to reclaim thematic maps of white-tailed deer density from 1982 and 2003 in the conterminous US.

Similar Datasets

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