You may be wondering, how weather factors such as heat, rain, snow, and extreme weather affect wildlife. Specifically, how are our friendly foresters, the deer, responding to climate change?
Scientists recently conducted a comprehensive study based on 20 years of research on the 10 main species of deer in the wild and tropical regions: moose, deer, wapiti, red deer , sika deer, fallow deer, white deer, mule deer, caribou, and elk.
The team analyzed 218 large articles to draw conclusions about the effects of climate change on the behavior, physiology, and demographics of these creatures.
Deer are affected by climate change
Weather, as it turns out, plays two roles in the life of a deer. Although hot temperatures seem to be beneficial in some ways, they can also tip the scales in other ways.
Reduced energy use and improved availability of food during the winter is less, initially as a factor for many deer. But the catch is with those species that thrive in cold climates like reindeer or caribou.
Consequences of climate change on deer
The winter temperature difference causes the snow to melt and melt, locking food sources under the ice sheet. Such conditions make it impossible to get lichens, which deer eat.
Similarly, hot and humid summers can cause deer to physically succumb to the effects of heat stress and parasites.
The direct result is the deterioration of the physical condition of the animals. It can also trigger long-term changes in their distribution, with some species such as moose moving further north.
Compared to deer species that cope with these issues by seeking winter shelter and reducing their daily activities during the hot season, moose are more sensitive to heat. This results in a smaller body size and ultimately results in a reduction in the population growth in future generations.
Adapting to climate change
Deer show remarkable flexibility, changing their behavior to reduce the impact of changing climate.
In response to changing climates, some species such as white-tailed deer adjust their diet, looking for feeding areas that provide both nutritional value and environmental comfort.
In extreme summer, deer are known to limit their activity to dawn and dusk, thus reducing exposure to the strong midday sun.
In addition, migration patterns can be variable, with deer moving longer distances in search of suitable habitats that offer greater climatic conditions.
Evolutionary implications for deer
As climate change continues to progress, the evolutionary implications for deer populations are profound and profound.
Genetic diversity plays a critical role in shaping how these species can change over time. People with high genetic variability are often able to develop useful traits that enable life in a changing environment.
For example, we can see natural selection processes favoring deer that are better equipped to withstand heat stress or those that can better exploit emerging new food.
This evolutionary process reflects the challenges posed by climate change, as well as the incredible resilience and adaptability inherent in wild species.
Changing the exit pattern
Climate change is also contributing to changing deer migration patterns. The increase in temperature during spring and autumn reduces snow cover and depth, causing deer to migrate in early spring and later in autumn.
If this trend continues, species such as caribou and red deer may be completely eliminated.
Additionally, the study has identified several avenues for future research, focusing on the effects of extreme weather events, snow patterns, and precipitation on deer.
What the study means
Research from the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) may be useful for wildlife, forest, and park managers to understand how deer may respond to future climate conditions. and change their population management strategies to protect these animals.
The relationship between climate change and wildlife is complex and intricate, and understanding it requires patience and dedicated research.
“Climate change is causing major disruptions in nature, where the tolerance levels of some plants and animals have already been exceeded,” said the researchers.
“In the short term, deer can respond to the climate through physiological reactions and individual behavior. Over time, individual responses can be aggregated at the population level and eventually lead to evolutionary change”.
Studies are published in journals Global change biology.
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