Sika Deer: Life History Plasticity and Management

This book provides complete andup-to-dateinformationonsika deer biology anditsmanagement,focusing ontheirlife historywithan integrated approach of population dynamics, morphology, genetics, and evolution. Theexpandingdistribution of sika and itsincreaseinpopulationin Japan andother countries arecausing damage to agriculture and forestry, impactingecosystemsandaffectingother species. We are facing conflicting deer issues regarding the conservation of resource values and pest control of sika deer. This contributed volume compiles new findings focusing on the ecological plasticity of the sika deer. It aims to clarify the ecological characteristics of the deer by integrating studies of different approaches and provides a perspective for their management. The book consists of six parts. Part I introduces the ecological and management background behind the history of sika deer. The followingfour parts discuss movement ecology (Part II), impact on vegetation and bottom-up effect on sika deer (Part III), impact on ecosystem and its resilience (Part IV), and comparison of life-history characteristics between sika deer and other ungulate species (Part V). The last part (Part VI) covers the science-based management of sika deer. Contributed byrecognized experts and young researchers of sika deer,this book appeals to researchers and professionals in wildlife biology and wildlife management, evolution, population dynamics, morphology, genetics,andreproductive physiology.