Caracterización del hábitat del venado cola blanca (Odocoileus virginianus mexicanus) en los bosques templados del Corredor Biológico Chichinautzin y modelación de su hábitat potencial en Eje Transvolcánico Mexicano

Resumen

* Corresponding author.The aim of this work was to characterize the habitat of white-tailed deer at two locations in northern temperate forest in the state of Morelos, Mexico and model the potential distribution of herbaceous and shrub species with importance for food and cover to determine sites most likely to occur and areas of importance for this species within the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Evaluated habitat characteristics are suitable for white-tailed deer, as the area has forest structure and floristic composition that provides nourishment and appropriate protection coverage, plus favorable topographic conditions for movement and escape. The modeling includes the species on shrub and herbaceous strata comprising the structure and composition that may be taking advantage of the white-tailed deer in the study area. The results suggest that most of the modeled species are distributed along the Natural Protected Area “Chichinautzin Biological Corridor†and the center of the country, reducing its presence as it approaches the coast of the Pacific Ocean, which match distribution in temperate forests. The information generated in this work about the structure and composition of the forest and its relationship to white-tailed deer can be used to support management decisions of the species locally and regionally.Key words: cover, floristic composition, forest structure, Maxent, niche.