SPATIAL-ANALYSIS OF HABITAT SELECTION BY SITKA BLACK-TAILED DEER IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA, USA

We used a vector-based geographic information system (GIS) to examine habitat selection by radiocollared Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) in logged forests of southeast Alaska. Our main o bjective was to explain deer habitat selection relative to old-growth/ clear-cut edges and edge habitats at two different spatial scales. Dee r home ranges contained higher percentages of recent clear-cuts (50-69 %) than the study area (37%; P < 0.01) and had higher old-growth/clear -cut edge densities than expected by chance (P < 0.01). Deer relocatio n points were closer to old-growth/clear-cut edges (average = 135 m) t han random points located within each deer's relocation area (average = 168 m; P = 0.05). Likewise, deer relocations were closer to old-grow th/clear-cut edges than points randomly located within old-growth stan ds or recent clear-cuts (P < 0.01). As the size of clear-cuts increase d, both deer relocation density and the proportion of a clear-cut occu pied by deer home ranges decreased. Because old growth is important de er habitat and clear-cuts can produce deer forage for only 20-30 years after logging in southeast Alaska, deer management plans such as pres erving entire watersheds and maintaining mixes of old growth and recen t clear-cut have been proposed. Our data suggest that deer need a dive rsity of habitats near each other within their home ranges.