White-tailed deer herbivory and timber harvesting rates: Implications for regeneration success.
Authors:
Miller, Brad F. Campbell, Tyler A. Laseter, Benjamin R. Ford, W. Mark Miller, Karl V. USDA, APHIS
Source:
Forest ecology and management. 2009 Sept. 15, v. 258, no. 7 [Amsterdam]: Elsevier Science, p. 1067-1072.
NALT Subjects:
forest regeneration vertebrate pests deer Odocoileus virginianus herbivores browsing grazing intensity population dynamics silvicultural practices logging hardwood forests vegetation structure feeding preferences West Virginia Appalachian region
Other Subjects:
herbivory pressure
Issue Date:
15-Sep-2009
Abstract:
Herbivory by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can affect forest regeneration. Typical measures to ensure forest regeneration have included physical barriers or direct manipulation of deer densities. However, altering silvicultural practices to provide abundant deer forage has not been tested thoroughly. We examined browse species preferences and changes in herbivory rates in 1-6 year old regeneration areas from 2001 to 2004 in the central Appalachians on the MeadWestvaco Wildlife and Ecosystem Research Forest in West Virginia. Woody vegetation reached the maximum plot coverage by the 4th growing season. However, the establishment of less abundant woody species, such as northern red oak (Quercus rubra), may be inhibited when browsed greater than or proportionally to occurrence. Herbivory rates declined precipitously as the amount of early successional habitat increased on our study site. We conclude that providing approximately 14% of an area in well-distributed, even-aged managed forests can have substantial impacts on reducing herbivory rates. However, management practices also should consider harvesting effects on hard mast production, habitat requirements of other species, and hardwood lumber marketability.
