Estimation of the red deer population and its impact on the Tugay forest ecosystem in the Lower Amu Darya State Biosphere Reserve, Uzbekistan

In 2011, the Government of Uzbekistan established Lower Amu Darya State Biosphere Reserve (LABR). This reserve aims to conserve Tugay, an endangered riparian forest ecosystem straddling main rivers Central Asia’s drylands, which is under extreme anthropogenic pressure. The LABR has reintroduced Bukhara red deer (Cervus hanglu bactrianus), a subspecies endemic Asia whose numbers declined severely over 20th century. development project provide operational support Uzbek authorities for their application join World Network Reserves. GIZ (German Society International Cooperation) requested CIRAD science-based estimate population in LABR, using internationally recognized method, and issue recommendations ensure ecologically socio-economically sustainable management. survey began October 2019. study area covered 88 km2. design consisted 12 parallel straight lines 1400 m apart; total transect length was 65 km. During count, 127 observations individuals or herds were made 336 observed. data analysed DISTANCE 7.3 software. encounter rates 1.95 obs./km 5.17 animals/km. estimated density 24 deer/km2 2,112 [1,320 - 3,344, 95% CI]. proportion dead, dying affected trees roughly at 10%, but with good chance survival 15%. southern core very high seedlings suckers being eaten no longer regenerating. Maintaining clearly seems incompatible either conservation Tugay peaceful coexistence human populations adjacent LABR. Options mitigate pressure include translocation northern other areas, regulation population. too effective preservation species locally, although severe as whole.