Project
Roe deer are distributed throughout Switzerland and are considered ecosystem engineers that can significantly impact key ecological processes. Yet, they are also known as an important game species. For effective management and setting reasonable harvest quotas, as well as for biodiversity conservation, it is crucial to obtain absolute abundances, rather than relying solely on relative abundance trends. Harvest data, which is routinely collected by cantonal authorities across Switzerland, offer valuable insights into population processes. However, the lack of recorded hunting effort can confound abundance results if not properly accounted for. To address this, my research will integrate harvest records with other datasets within an integrated population model. This approach aims to determine absolute abundance and transform current roe deer population management by contributing robust, data-driven tools, ultimately balancing ecological sustainability with human use.
CV
- 2024–present, MSc Student in Biodiversity, Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich
- 2020-2024, BSc Student in Biology, University of Zurich