Food preference of roe deer in relation to principal species of forest trees and shrubs

Abstract

The food preference of roe deer, Capreolus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1758) reared in enclosures was studied in respect of 27 principal species of forest trees and shrubs. The animals were supplied, both in summer and in winter, with 100 g weighing bunches of twigs of various tree and shrub species. After 4 hours the bunches were weighed again. Taking into account the results of statistical analysis (F test, Gupta test) three types of plants were distinguished separately for the vegetation period and for winter: (1) species particularly preferred, (2) species of mean attractivity, (3) species poorly consumed. In winter the most preferred species were among others: Fagus silvatica L., Evonymus europea L., Carpinus betulus L., while to the least consumed species belonged among others: Tilia cor data Mill., Betula verrucosa Ehrh., Sambucus nigra L., Pinus silvestris L. In the vegetation period to the first group belonged among others: Quercus robur L., Evonymus europea L., Sorbus aucup-aria L., and Salix sp., while to the least consumed species in that period belonged: Abies alba Mill, Picea abies Karst., Pinus silvestris L., Sam-bucus nigra L., and others. Moreover, the results of preliminary inves-tigations indicate that food preference of roe deer may vary, for example in relation to the availability or abundance of different species of trees and shrubs.