Deer Count - Deer Density
Deer group locations and sizes are used in assessing deer populations living on the ‘open range’. ‘Open range’ generally means open areas of habitat used mainly by red deer (for example, heather moorland). From the outset it is important to be clear that although the terms ‘count’ or ‘census’ are used, open range counting enables a population estimate to be made, but with associated error margins. Research has shown that, normally, estimates will vary by between 5 and 16%. In other words if you count 415 deer then the population estimate is at best between 348 and 481 (or at very best between 394 and 435). Open range population counts (and their resulting estimates) are therefore most likely to be useful for setting broad targets or giving an index of deer numbers as opposed to very precise population models. They are also useful for indicating trends in a series of counts.
Count information can be obtained by joining table DEER_COUNT_INDEX based on COUNT_ID columns.
Both Helicopter and ground counts are included in the data. The majority of the data were collected in ‘white ground’ conditions where the contrast between deer and the background of snow is maximised enabling deer to be more easily spotted.
Summer counts of 'Priority' sites are also included where sites have been counted more intensively.
Attribute Name / Item Name / Description
DIGI_CALVS / Digital Calves / DIGI = counted from a digital photo
SUM_STAGS / SUM Stags / DIGI + VIS combined
SUM_HINDS / SUM Hinds / DIGI + VIS combined
SUM_CALVES / SUM Calves / DIGI + VIS combined
SUM_UNCL / SUM Unclassified / DIGI + VIS combined UNCL = unclassified – so generally hinds and calves combined.
SUM_TOTAL / SUM Total / Overall total for that group (not necessarily for the 1km2 as there may be 3 or 4 groups in the 1km2 at that point in time.
COUNT_ID / COUNT_ID / Provides link to accompanying csv file.
DIGI_HINDS / Digital Hinds / DIGI = counted from a digital photo
VIS_TOTAL / Visual Total / VIS = counted visually during the count
DIGI_UNCL / Digital Unclassified / DIGI = counted from a digital photo UNCL = unclassified – so generally hinds and calves combined.
DIGI_TOTAL / Digital Total / DIGI = counted from a digital photo
VIS_STAG / Visual Stag / VIS = counted visually during the count
VIS_HINDS / Visual Hinds / VIS = counted visually during the count
VIS_CALVS / Visual Calves / VIS = counted visually during the count
VIS_UNCL / Visual Unclassified / VIS = counted visually during the count UNCL = unclassified – so generally hinds and calves combined.
DIGI_STAG / Digital Stag / DIGI = counted from a digital photo
Default
Identification info
- Metadata Language
- English
- Character set
- UTF8
- Dataset Reference Date (Creation)
- 2010-10-29
- Dataset Reference Date (Revision)
- 2021-11-23
- Identifier
- 01DB019C-E62B-2919-E063-6B20C80AB042
- Identifier
- DCDD_SCOTLAND
- Presentation form
- Digital map
- Purpose
-
1km Grid data showing the density of deer groups recorded on counting operations undertaken by or with assistance from Scottish Natural Heritage (or the Deer Commission for Scotland as was).
- Credit
-
© NatureScot (Scottish Natural Heritage), contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right (insert year)
- Maintenance and update frequency
- As needed
-
GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
-
-
Habitats and biotopes
-
Species distribution
-
- Use limitation
-
no usage limitation
- Limitations on Public Access
- Other restrictions
- Use constraints
- Other restrictions
- Other constraints
-
Available under the Open Government Licence ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence)
- Limitations on Public Access
- Other restrictions
- Other constraints
- no limitations to public access
- Use constraints
- Other restrictions
- Other constraints
-
Available under the Open Government Licence ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence)
- Use limitation
-
no usage limitation
- Limitations on Public Access
- Other restrictions
- Use constraints
- Other restrictions
- Other constraints
-
Available under the Open Government Licence ( http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence)
- Use constraints
- Other restrictions
- Other constraints
- no conditions to access and use
- Spatial representation type
- Vector
- Topic category
-
- Biota
- Environment
Temporal reference
Temporal extent
Temporal extent
- Reference system identifier
- EPSG / 27700 / 6.3(3.0.1)
Distribution Information
Data format
- Data format
-
Name Version ESRI Shapefile
ESRI File geodatabase
GeoJSON
Geopackage
GML
Transfer options
- Resource Locator
Data quality info
- Quality Scope
- Dataset
- Conformity
- COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
- Explanation
-
This data set is conformant with the INSPIRE Implementing Rules for the interoperability of spatial data sets and services
- Degree
- true
- Statement
-
Point dataset showing the location of deer groups recorded on counting operations undertaken by or with assistance from Scottish Natural Heritage (or the Deer Commission for Scotland as was).
Count information can be obtained by joining table DEER_COUNT_INDEX based on COUNT_ID columns. Both Helicopter and ground counts are included in the data. The majority of the data were collected in ‘white ground’ conditions where the contrast between deer and the background of snow is maximised enabling deer to be more easily spotted. Summer counts of 'Priority' sites are also included where sites have been counted more intensively.
Metadata
- File identifier
- 6c329424-ce0e-4595-84c5-39b3a2339ab2 XML
- Metadata Language
- English
- Character set
- UTF8
- Resource type
- Dataset
- Hierarchy level name
-
dataset
- Metadata Date
- 2023-10-20T11:01:27
- Metadata standard name
- UK GEMINI
- Metadata standard version
-
2.3
Point of contact
- Individual name
-
Geographic Information Group
- Organisation name
-
NatureScot
- Position name
-
Data Supply
- Voice
-
01463 725000
- Delivery point
-
Great Glen House
- City
-
Inverness
- Postal code
-
IV3 8NW
- Electronic mail address
-
data_supply@snh.gov.uk supply@snh.gov data_supply@snh.gov.uk
- Role
- Point of contact