DeerMAP - Background

The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute held a workshop in 2001 that was attended by foresters, stalkers, estate and woodland managers, scientists and conservationists. They agreed there was a need for a decision support tool that could assist with deer management.

However, the range of requirements and lack of information on deer behaviour in woodlands precluded the development of any single tool that could meet all of the objectives. Indeed, one of the outcomes of the workshop was the realisation that any tool for managing deer should include all habitat types and not be restricted to either woodland or moorlands.

Following further consultation with the Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Deer Commission for Scotland and the Scottish Executive, the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute was given the task of developing a deer management decision support tool.