You may wonder how weather factors such as temperature, rainfall, snow, and extreme weather events affect wildlife. More specifically, how are our beloved forest roamers, deer, responding to climate change?
Scientists recently conducted a comprehensive study based on 20 years of research on the 10 main deer species in northern and temperate regions: moose, elk, wapiti, red deer, sika deer, deer, white-tailed deer, mule deer, caribou, and reindeer.
The team analyzed 218 papers to draw conclusions about the effects of climate change on the behavior, physiology and population dynamics of these organisms.
Effects of climate change on deer
Weather, as it turns out, plays a dual role in the lives of deer. While warmer temperatures appear to be beneficial in some ways, they can tip the scales in another direction.
Reducing energy expenditure and improving food availability during milder winters would initially seem important to many deer populations. But hunting is in species that thrive in colder climates, such as reindeer or caribou.
Consequences of climate change on deer
Temperature changes in winter cause the snow to melt and refreeze, trapping food resources under an ice sheet. Such conditions make it impossible to access the lichens that deer usually feed on.
Likewise, hotter, drier summers may push the physiological tolerance of deer populations to the edges due to heat stress and parasites.
The immediate consequence is the deterioration of the physical condition of the animals. It may also cause long-term changes in their distribution, with some species such as deer moving north.
Compared to deer species that cope with these issues by seeking cooler habitats and reducing their daily activity during peak heat hours, deer are significantly more sensitive to heat. This leads to smaller body mass and ultimately reduced population growth in future generations.
adaptation to climate change
Deer show remarkable adaptability and change their behavior to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In response to fluctuating temperatures, certain species such as white-tailed deer adjust their foraging patterns and seek out food sources that provide both nutritional value and a measure of environmental comfort.
During periods of extreme heat, deer limit their activity to dawn and dusk, thereby minimizing exposure to the harsh midday sun.
In addition, migration patterns may change, with deer traveling greater distances in search of suitable habitats that offer more temperate conditions.
Evolutionary implications for deer
As climate change continues to accelerate, the evolutionary implications for deer populations are profound and far-reaching.
Genetic diversity plays an important role in shaping how these species can adapt over time. Populations with higher genetic diversity are more likely to develop beneficial traits that increase their survival in changing environments.
For example, we may see a natural selection process that favors deer that are better equipped to cope with heat stress or those that can efficiently exploit new and emerging food sources.
This evolutionary dynamic highlights the challenges posed by climate change, as well as the incredible resilience and potential for adaptation inherent in wildlife species.
Changing migration patterns
Climate change is also helping to alter deer migration patterns. Rising spring and fall temperatures reduce snow cover and depth, causing deer to migrate earlier in the spring and later in the fall.
If this trend continues, species such as elk and red deer could possibly eliminate migration altogether.
Additionally, the study identified several avenues for future research, primarily focused on the potential impact of extreme weather events, snow type, and wetter autumns on deer.
Importance of study
The National Institute for Research in Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) findings could be valuable to wildlife, forest and park managers to understand how deer populations may respond to future climate conditions and to tailor their population management strategies accordingly. Adapt to protect these animals.
The interaction between climate change and wildlife is complex and complex, and understanding it requires patience and dedicated research.
“Climate change is causing widespread disruption in nature, where tolerance thresholds for some plants and animals are already being exceeded,” the researchers noted.
In the short term, deer may respond to climate through individual physiological and behavioral responses. “Over time, individual responses can accumulate at the population level, eventually leading to evolutionary adaptations.”
This study has been published in the journal Global Change Biology
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