Cropland restricts occurrence and alters spatial ecology near the mule deer geographical range limit

Our results suggest that at a low spatial coverage, cropland alters the spatial ecology of mule deer at several spatio-temporal scales and may provide nutritional benefits, but at a cost of lost habitat when cropland exceeds 20% of the landscape. Declining groundwater resources and an exponentially growing human population will alter future farming practices. Understanding how species occupying these environments, such as mule deer, are influenced by human-induced landscape changes can enhance mitigation of human-wildlife interactions and aid conservation actions as policy and social pressures shape future agricultural practices.