Damir Ugarković

Analysis of seasonal activities of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) in relation to the mating season, lunar phases and air temperature

The objectives of this study were to analyse seasonal activities of male and female red deer in relation to the mating season, lunar phases and air temperature. Sensory cameras for tracking game were installed. Greater activity of red deer was observed during the mating season than in the pre-mating season. With regard to lunar phases, deer activity significantly increased in the phases from the new moon to the full moon during the mating season. There was a significant correlation of deer activity with minimum air temperatures during the mating season.

Changes and trends of climate elements and indices in the region of Mediterranean Croatia

Climate is complex ecological factor described by different climate elements and phenomena that effect development of vegetation and its natural distribution. Climate elements the most important for vegetation are air temperatures, amount of precipitations, air humidity and wind. The aim of this research was to determine trends and changes of climate elements in the region of Mediterranean Croatia. Meteorological stations with the longest monitoring period in the region of the Mediterranean Croatia were chosen in order to determine trends of the climate elements. Decreasing or increasing trends of individual climate elements and indices were analysed using linear trend of regression analysis. Climate elements and indices of the referent line were compared with period between 1991 and 2010. At all meteorological stations was found negative trend of annual amount of precipitations and Lang s rain factor. Exception was meteorological station Rijeka with increase of annual amount of precipitations and Lang s rain factor. Trends of air temperatures at all meteorological stations were positive. Values of Lang s rain factor in the researched region are decreasing resulting higher aridity of the region. Trends of potential evapotranspiration are significant and positive at all meteorological stations. Changes of air temperatures are more noticeable than those of precipitations, while changes of potential evapotranspiration are more noticeable than those of Lang s rain factor. Forest vegetation and crop plants of Mediterranean Croatia are adapted to certain climate conditions predominating in this region. This conditions change through time effecting growth and development of all organisms.

Locomotor activity pattern of two recently introduced non-native ungulate species in a Mediterranean habitat

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine the locomotor activity pattern of European mouflon and axis deer in a Mediterranean habitat on the island of Rab, and to determine the temporal overlap between these two species. Nine cameras with an infrared motion detection system were used to track animal activity over a 12-month period, 24 hours per day. A total of 122082 JPEG photographs were obtained, of which 69273 recorded the presence of the two target non-native ungulate species. The average monthly number of recorded animals varied by sex and season for European mouflon and by season for axis deer. Both species displayed a bimodal activity pattern, with an overlap coefficient of 0.74 for the activity of both species during the entire study period. The results indicate a non-competitive coexistence and similar activity patterns in the studied ungulate species, despite the high overlap coefficient.