Abstract
To determine effects of anthropogenically-induced environmental changes on a sika deer (Cervus nippon) population, we measured food resource abundance and numbers of deer feeding scars at impacted and control sites. Study sites were set in cedar plantations and broadleaf secondary forests near Yakushima. Within each site, one-meter square plots were set along roadsides and in the forest interior. All grasses and seedlings within plots were harvested for dry weight measurements (food biomass). In addition, fixed transects were deployed near the harvested plots, and all feeding scars were counted along transect lengths. At both sites, there was more food biomass along roadsides than in forest interiors. There were also more food resources within the interior of forest plantations than within broadleaf secondary forest stands. Distributions of feeding scar numbers correlated closely with food biomass distributions. Hence, within our study area, road building and planting of artificial cedar stands have probably contributed to increased food biomass for the sika deer population.
