Evaluating the impacts of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) browsing on vegetation in fenced and unfenced timber harvests

Ensuring the recruitment of desired tree species is a primary goal when considering successful regeneration of timber harvests. Deer populations that are overabundant relative to forage availability within their local landscapes pose a considerable challenge to successful forest regeneration. We eva...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forest ecology and management 2020-10, Vol.473, p.118326, Article 118326
Main Authors: Parker, Halie A., Larkin, Jeffery T., Heggenstaller, Dan, Duchamp, Joseph, Tyree, Michael C., Rushing, Clark S., Just Domoto, Emily, Larkin, Jeffery L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Browsing
Forest regeneration
Herbivory
Ungulates
White-tailed deer
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Summary:Ensuring the recruitment of desired tree species is a primary goal when considering successful regeneration of timber harvests. Deer populations that are overabundant relative to forage availability within their local landscapes pose a considerable challenge to successful forest regeneration. We evaluated the short-term (1.5 m) sapling cover were greater in fenced harvests, while unfenced harvests had greater forb, fern, and blueberry/huckleberry (Vaccinium spp./Gaylussacia spp.) cover. Our results suggest that browsing by deer in the years initially (
ISSN:0378-1127
1872-7042
DOI:10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118326