Author : Ratana Lukanawarakul

Summary : This study sought to describe and compare the habitat use of the Sambar deer and the common barking deer. Three major grassland sites and portions of the forests in the Khao Yai National Park served as foci of the study. Habitat parameters were analyzed in grasslands and forested areas. Fauna and distribution of water resources and saltlicks were surveyed. Habitat use was determined by pellet group count technique. Results showed that 32, 40, and 50 plant species were found in Moor Ton Jan, Nhong Puk Chee, and Nhong King grassland areas, respectively. Imperata cylindrica was the most dominant species in the three grassland communities and formed an almost pure stand in the area. In forest communities, there were 33, 36, and 42 tree species in Nhong King Puk Chee, and Moor Tan Jan, respectively. In shrub layers, there were 18, 27, and 28 species in Nhong King, Nhong Puk Chee, and Moor Ton Jan, respectively. In herb layers, there were 31, 34, and 46 species in Nhong Puk Chee, Nhong King, and Moor Tan Jan, respectively. Some dominant genera were EUGENIA, GIROMENIERA, GLOCHIDION, GONOCARYUM, CLAUSENA, and CINNAMOMUM. Water resources consisting of both intermittent and perennial streams of ponds were distributed over the three areas, which could supply water to wildlife throughout the year. Two types of saltlicks, natural and artificial, were also distributed in al the sites. Thirteen species of mammals and 29 species of birds were observed in the study areas. The dominant species occupying the grassland and savannah habitats were the spotted-necked dove, black-crested bulbul, black-headed bulbul, francolin, Indian-pied hornbill, black-shouldered kite, Asiathic elephant, Siamese hare, and tiger. Relationships maintained between deer and the other species can be seen in the same feeding habit and prey-predator relationships. Deer densities in grassland study sites as determined from pellet-group counts showed Sambar deer density was 11.82 deer/ha, 0.90 deer/ha, and 0.184 deer/ha in Moor Ton Jan.