Adaptive response of Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) to climate and altitude in the temperate forests of South Korea

Understanding climatic effect on wildlife is essential to prediction and management of climate change’s impact on the ecosystem. The climatic effect can interact with other environmental factors. This study aimed to determine effects of climate and altitude on Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) activity in temperate forests of South Korea. We conducted camera trapping to investigate roe deer’s activity level from spring to fall. Logistic regressions were used to determine effects of diel period, temperature, rain, and altitude on the activity level. A negative relationship was noted between temperature and the activity level due to thermoregulatory costs. Roe deer activity exhibited nocturnal and crepuscular patterns during summer and the other seasons, respectively, possibly due to heat stress in summer. In addition, the effect of temperature differed between high- and low-altitude areas. In low-altitude areas, temperature affected negatively the activity level throughout the study...