속리산국립공원에 서식하는 외래종 대만꽃사슴(Cervus nippon taiouanus)의 시공간적 미세서식지 이용 분석

초록

This study examined the spatio-temporal microhabitat use of the introduced Formosan sika deer (Cervus nippon taiouanus) by analyzing their spatial and temporal behavioral patterns. From July 2022 to May 2023, hourly GPS locations were recorded for two individuals (one female and one male) in Songnisan National Park, South Korea, using collar-mounted GPS devices. Principal component analysis (PCA) and k-means clustering of habitat attributes revealed that even within the same individual, different microhabitat types were selected based on variations in elevation, slope, and forest structure. Kernel density analyses of the time-stamped locations indicated clear temporal differentiation in habitat use among clusters. Specifically, activity during crepuscular hours (i.e., sunrise and sunset) concentrated in areas of higher elevation and steeper slopes, dominated by mixed or deciduous forests, while the deer were more frequently found at lower elevations, gentler slopes, and in coniferous forests. These findings suggest that Formosan sika deer utilize functionally distinct microhabitats to alternate between foraging and resting behaviors in line with their circadian rhythms. This spatio-temporal differentiation likely represents a behavioral strategy to optimize physiological needs throughout the day and enables flexible responses to environmental conditions in Korean landscapes. This study offers foundational insights into the habitat use patterns of this invasive species and may inform management strategies and assessments of spatial competition with native ungulates. However, due to the limited number of individuals monitored, further long-term research with a larger sample size is necessary for broader generalization.

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