Abiotic Factors Influencing Deer Browsing in West Virginia

Campbell, Tyler A.; Laseter, Benjamin R.; Ford, W. Mark; Odom, Richard H.; Miller, Karl V.

doi:10.1093/njaf/23.1.20

Cited by 28 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The environmental variables elevation and crown closure were of similar importance as forage characteristics. Elevation was an important predictor of browsing in previous studies (Campbell et al, 2006;Vospernik & Reimoser, 2008), and might in this study be a proxy for hidden variables that were not measured, such as forest stand density and cover, remoteness, or forest continuity. Low crown closure, that is, a more open stand, leaves more light to the tree saplings and can increase nutrient availability (Ritter & Vesterdal, 2006).…”

Section: Regional Scalementioning

confidence: 73%

“…When working with observational data, other factors influencing deer browsing need to be taken into account, such as forest site characteristics, including the light regime (Gill & Beardall, 2001), and potential disturbance of the feeding animals by, for example, hiking trails (Möst, Hothorn, Müller, & Heurich, 2015). Other studies also included topographic information (elevation, slope, aspect) (Campbell, Laseter, Ford, Odom, & Miller, 2006;Vospernik & Reimoser, 2008). Hence, in our study, we control for these forest stand and environmental parameters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Different facets of tree sapling diversity influence browsing intensity by deer dependent on spatial scale

Ohse

Seele

Holzwarth

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Browsing of tree saplings by deer hampers forest regeneration in mixed forests across Europe and North America. It is well known that tree species are differentially affected by deer browsing, but little is known about how different facets of diversity, such as species richness, identity, and composition, affect browsing intensity at different spatial scales. Using forest inventory data from the Hainich National Park, a mixed deciduous forest in central Germany, we applied a hierarchical approach to model the browsing probability of patches (regional scale) as well as the species‐specific proportion of saplings browsed within patches (patch scale). We found that, at the regional scale, the probability that a patch was browsed increased with certain species composition, namely with low abundance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and high abundance of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), whereas at the patch scale, the proportion of saplings browsed per species was mainly determined by the species’ identity, providing a “preference ranking” of the 11 tree species under study. Interestingly, at the regional scale, species‐rich patches were more likely to be browsed; however, at the patch scale, species‐rich patches showed a lower proportion of saplings per species browsed. Presumably, diverse patches attract deer, but satisfy nutritional needs faster, such that fewer saplings need to be browsed. Some forest stand parameters, such as more open canopies, increased the browsing intensity at either scale. By showing the effects that various facets of diversity, as well as environmental parameters, exerted on browsing intensity at the regional as well as patch scale, our study advances the understanding of mammalian herbivore–plant interactions across scales. Our results also indicate which regeneration patches and species are (least) prone to browsing and show the importance of different facets of diversity for the prediction and management of browsing intensity and regeneration dynamics.

show abstract

Section: Regional Scalementioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Different facets of tree sapling diversity influence browsing intensity by deer dependent on spatial scale

Ohse

Seele

Holzwarth

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…West Virginia is south of the natural range of the Eastern spruce budworm ( Choristoneura fumiferana ) (Kucera & Orr 2006; Karen Kish, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, personal communication, 2006), a serious pest of red spruce. White‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) herbivory, a significant problem for many woody species in this portion of the central Appalachians (Campbell et al 2006), has much less impact on red spruce. Typically, red spruce is a less preferred browse than balsam fir, eastern hemlock, or almost all the hardwood species occurring in region (Telfer 1972).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Red Spruce Stand Dynamics, Simulations, and Restoration Opportunities in the Central Appalachians

Rentch

Schuler

Ford

et al. 2007

Restoration Ecology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Red spruce (Picea rubens)-dominated forests occupied as much as 600,000 ha in West Virginia prior to exploitive logging era of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Subsequently, much of this forest type was converted to northern hardwoods. As an important habitat type for a number of rare or sensitive species, only about 12,000 ha of red spruce forests presently remain in the state. In order to assess the prospects for restoration, we examined six northern hardwood stands containing understory red spruce to (1) characterize stand dynamics and regeneration patterns and (2) simulate the effectiveness of restoration silviculture to enhance red spruce overstory recruitment. Stands originated in the late 1800s to early 1900s and are currently in the (late) stem exclusion or understory reinitiation stages. Five of the six stands had even-aged overstories that originated after clear-cutting. Tree-ring chronologies show high initial growth rates consistent with stand initiation. One stand, partially harvested in 1915, was uneven aged with older, legacy residuals in the canopy. Most stands had two cohorts of understory red spruce, with more than 40% of these individuals showing prior release. Our 100-year growth simulation suggested that a 50% basal area thinning from above could double red spruce basal area to support a mixed sprucehardwood stand in approximately 20-40 years. These results indicate that restoration silviculture could be an effective tool for increasing the amount and quality of this reduced forest type in the central Appalachians.

show abstract

“…More recently, high white‐tailed deer populations, released by elimination of their natural predators, have heavily browsed on preferred tree seedling species (e.g. sugar maple, red oak) (Marquis 1981; Tilghman 1989; Kittredge & Ashton 1995; Fortney & Rentch 2003; Reyes & Vasseur 2003; Pedersen & Wallis 2004; Rossell et al 2005; Campbell et al 2006; Holladay et al 2006) and can also impact the regeneration of less preferred species such as red spruce (Reyes & Vasseur 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Species‐Specific Barriers to Tree Regeneration in High Elevation Habitats of West Virginia

Griscom

Deacon

2011

Restoration Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Herbaceous competition and herbivory have been identified as critical barriers to restoration of native tree species in degraded landscapes around the world; however, the combined effects of competition and herbivory are poorly understood. We experimentally manipulated levels of herbivory and herbaceous competition and analyzed the response of tree seedling performance over three growing seasons as a function of species and habitat in north-central West Virginia. Four native tree species were planted in old field and forest experimental plots: Castanea dentata (American chestnut), Quercus rubra (red oak), Acer saccharum (sugar maple), and Picea rubens (red spruce). Red spruce demonstrated the highest growth increment and greatest survival (64%) and most consistent results among treatments and habitats. Red spruce survival was not reduced in the presence of Odocoileus virginianus (whitetailed deer) browse and herbaceous competition; however, growth was improved by suppression of herbaceous competition. We suspect that this deciduous forest landscape would regenerate to a red spruce dominated forest if seed source was available. In contrast, the other three species tested had very low survival when exposed to deer and were more responsive to competing vegetation and habitat type. American chestnut had low survival and growth across all treatments, suggesting basic climate limitations. Vigorous natural regeneration of Prunus serotina (black cherry) occurred in forest plots where both competing herbs and deer were excluded. Our results demonstrated the importance of testing multiple potential recruitment barriers and species at once and the need for species and habitat-specific restoration treatments.

show abstract

Abiotic Factors Influencing Deer Browsing in West Virginia

Cited by 28 publications

References 16 publications

Different facets of tree sapling diversity influence browsing intensity by deer dependent on spatial scale

Different facets of tree sapling diversity influence browsing intensity by deer dependent on spatial scale

Red Spruce Stand Dynamics, Simulations, and Restoration Opportunities in the Central Appalachians

Species‐Specific Barriers to Tree Regeneration in High Elevation Habitats of West Virginia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About