1. Loss of Food Sources:
Deer primarily rely on plant material for food, including leaves, twigs, buds, acorns, and fruits. The removal of forest cover reduces the availability of these food sources, making it challenging for deer to find sufficient sustenance.
2. Fragmentation of Habitat:
The construction of the shopping center fragments the once continuous forest habitat, creating isolated pockets of forest. Fragmentation disrupts deer movement patterns, making it difficult for them to access different parts of their home range and locate suitable food and shelter.
3. Increased Competition:
With the reduction in habitat size, the remaining deer are forced to concentrate in smaller areas. This leads to increased competition for limited resources such as food and shelter, which can result in higher levels of stress and lower survival rates.
4. Increased Predation:
Forest edges created by habitat fragmentation often provide cover for predators such as coyotes and bobcats. The fragmentation makes deer more vulnerable to predation as they are exposed to these predators while moving between habitat fragments.
5. Reduced Genetic Diversity:
Fragmentation can lead to reduced genetic diversity within deer populations. As deer become isolated in smaller groups, the gene pool becomes limited, increasing the risk of inbreeding and genetic disorders.
6. Road Mortality:
The construction of new roads associated with the shopping center increases the risk of deer-vehicle collisions. Deer are known to cross roads, especially during their seasonal movements or during dispersal of young deer.
7. Altered Behavior:
Habitat fragmentation and increased human activity can alter deer behavior. Deer may become more nocturnal or change their movement patterns to avoid human disturbances, further affecting their ability to find food and shelter.
In summary, the construction of a new shopping center in the Piedmont region of Georgia will result in habitat loss, fragmentation, increased competition, higher predation, reduced genetic diversity, increased road mortality, and altered behavior for the white-tailed deer population. These impacts can have long-term consequences for the survival and well-being of the deer in the area.