Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Tezin Türü: Doktora
Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Biyolojik Bilimler Bölümü, Türkiye
Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2019
Öğrenci: MUSTAFA DURMUŞ
Danışman: CEMAL CAN BİLGİN
Özet:The Fallow Deer (Dama dama) population in Turkey is presumed to be one of the few autochthonous populations globally. Although the species has been under protection since the 1960s, it had become restricted to a single site in Düzlerçamı, Antalya. Within the context of a reintroduction project, 21 deer were translocated into Dilek Peninsula National Park (Aydın, Turkey) in 2011 and 2012. Fifteen individuals were GPS-collared and monitored between 2011 and 2013 to understand their movements, habitat choice and social interactions. Annual average home range size is estimated to be 587±321 ha for males and 564 ±297 ha for females. Habitat selection analyses revealed that males and females differ in habitat use, except during mating seasons. Habitat selection is stronger in females, and the abundance and quality of resources shape space use pattern in females. On the other hand, predation potential of the habitats likely determines habitat selection of males. Significant sexual segregation occurs, except during mating seasons. Two hypotheses are tested to find out the underlying reason for sexual segregation. Forage selection hypothesis better explains observed spatial utilization differences between sexes. Males use both non-territorial and single territory strategies during mating. Demographic variables were estimated using closed population mark-resight models and camera trap records. Population size has increased over the study period with an average growth rate of 0.24 ±0.10, and reached an estimated 48.17±3.29 in 2016. Our results indicate that the reintroduced individuals have successfully adapted to the new environment and expanded their range into favourable habitats.