Population ecology of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Kastamonu and Sinop

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is one of the most important species that related closely to hunting tourism in Europe and the smallest species of Cervidae family in Turkey. This species has a wide distribution area in Turkey especially in the western Black Sea. Population ecology of roe deer which is distributed in Water Affair and Forestry X. Regional Directorate area that has a significant population of this species, will be examined for the first time. This study was carried out in different places by using different methods, for this reason every part of the thesis was composed of its own introduction, materials and methods, findings and results. Four main chapters have been identified for the introduction of population ecology of roe deers. In the first chapter, monitoring studies of GPS collared roe deer were examined, datas obtained from results of the study, seasonal and daily activities, habitat preferences and habitats were determined. The results of the studies shows that the male individuals are more active than the females. Roe deers prefer more mixed forests than pure forests, and they are active generally 17:00 - 19:00, 23:00 - 01:00, 05:00 - 06:00. In the second chapter, habitat suitability models were created by using maximum entropy approach which is one of the frequently used methods for creating habitat suitability models in recent years. Also and the relationship between species to environmental and ecological variables is examined. ROC value of Habitat suitability Model in Kastamonu found as 0,873. Due to Jackknife test results, highest value were found on elevation variables, following variables are density of road, density of water sources and vegetation plant classes. ROC value of Habitat suitability Model in Sinop found as 0,971. Due to Jackknife test results, highest value were found on elevation variables, following variables are vegetation plant classes, density of water sources, topographical position index. In the third chapter, seasonal plant preferences were determined by feacal analysis and surface coverings and life forms of the species were determined. Roe deers which is called as selective herbivorous, were fed with shrubs and herbaceous taxa in the summer seasons and fed with trees and shrubs in the winter seasons. Total number of 73 nutrients including 59 plant taxa were found in roe deer's diet. In the fourth chapter a phylogenetic study by using mitochondrial DNA analysis of the roe deer individuals was carried out and the phylogenetic relationship between the individuals living in Kastamonu and Europe was investigated. The results were showed that phylogeny of roe deers distributed in Kastamonu are showing similarity to two different genetic flow with European roe deers. The study is the most detailed study on roe deer made so far in Turkey. Results of this study expected to shed light on future wildlife studies and wildlife management of Turkey and outputs expected to have a contribution to future studies on this species within the scope of conservation and action plans.