First-Year Vitality of Reforestation Plantings in Response to Herbivore Exclusion on Reclaimed Appalachian Surface-Mined Land

Abstract

Conventional Appalachian surface-mine reclamation techniques repress natural forest regeneration, and tree plantings are often necessary for reforestation. Reclaimed Appalachian surface mines harbor a suite of mammal herbivores that forage on recently planted seedlings. Anecdotal reports across Appalachia have implicated herbivory in the hindrance and failure of reforestation efforts, yet empirical evaluation of herbivory impacts on planted seedling vitality in this region remains relatively uninitiated. First growing-season survival, height growth, and mammal herbivory damage of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.), and white oak (Quercus alba L.) are presented in response to varying intensities of herbivore exclusion. Seedling survival was generally high, and height growth was positive for all species. The highest herbivory incidence of all tree species was observed in treatments offering no herbivore exclusion. While seedling protectors lowered herbivory incidence compared with no exclusion, full exclusion treatments resulted in the greatest reduction of herbivore damage. Although herbivory from rabbits, small mammals, and domestic animals was observed, cervids (deer and elk) were responsible for 95.8% of all damaged seedlings. This study indicates that cervids forage heavily on planted seedlings during the first growing-season, but exclusion is effective at reducing herbivory.

Seedling Production and the Field Performance of Seedlings

“…Bell et al [17] compared the survival and growth of native shortleaf pine to those of non-native loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Hackworth et al [18] studied herbivore damage in different tree species and how it could be reduced.…”

Tree diversity promotes growth of late successional species despite increasing deer damage in a restored forest

“…Yet, many reforestation strategies focus on establishing monoculture plantations, despite burgeoning evidence that tree diversity is critical for forest sustainability (Verheyen et al 2016, Paquette et al 2018, Osuri et al 2019), especially as it relates to forest productivity (Liang et al 2016, Fichtner et al 2018, Huang et al 2018, Jactel et al 2018). Moreover, tree diversity may help mitigate the negative impacts of herbivores (Jactel et al 2017, Grossman et al 2018), which often limit the reestablishment of new forests (McShea et al 1997, Hackworth et al 2018).…”

Hardwood Species Show Wide Variability in Response to Silviculture during Reclamation of Coal Mine Sites

“…Rabbit herbivory is indicated by clean, angled shoot removal. Bark removal near the base is considered vole damage [17].…”

“…Forests 2020, 11, 72 2 of 16 competition from weeds [9,[11][12][13], and animal browse [14][15][16][17]. Performance of trees planted on reclaimed mines is often deficient compared with trees growing in native forest sites or other afforestation settings [4,18].…”