Introduction to the Special Issue: Ungulates and invasive species: quantifying impacts and understanding interactions

Blossey, Bernd; Gorchov, David L.

doi:10.1093/aobpla/plx063

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…For instance, facilitation of invasive plant species (e.g. by other invasive plant species 64 , or herbivores 65 ) may have deleterious consequences for ecosystem functioning reducing the biomass of resident species. Similarly, when facilitated symbionts are host parasites, laboratory observations show that facilitation often has negative impacts on host health ( Supplementary Table 1 ).…”

Section: Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences Of Facilitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecology and evolution of facilitation among symbionts

Zélé¹,

Magalhães²,

Kéfi³

et al. 2018

Nat Commun

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Facilitation occurs when one species positively impacts the fitness of another, and has predominantly been studied in free-living species like plants. Facilitation can also occur among symbiont (mutualistic or parasitic) species or strains, but equivalent studies are scarce. To advance an integrated view of the effect of facilitation on symbiont ecology and evolution, we review empirical evidence and their underlying mechanisms, explore the factors favouring its emergence, and discuss its consequences for virulence and transmission. We argue that the facilitation concept can improve understanding of the evolutionary forces shaping symbiont communities and their effects on hosts.

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Section: Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences Of Facilitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecology and evolution of facilitation among symbionts

Zélé¹,

Magalhães²,

Kéfi³

et al. 2018

Nat Commun

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“…Invasive species were also not advantaged by deer browsing on native species. Nor did the presence of introduced plants alter canopy regeneration (Blossey & Gorchov, 2017 provide contrasting examples). Although unpalatable small‐leaved shrubs and larger‐leaved palatable plants also increased within fenced plots, they did not prevent mountain beech regeneration and may even have been synergistic or facilitative (Bee et al., 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hunting of sika deer over six decades does not restore forest regeneration

Husheer,

Tanentzap

2023

Journal of Applied Ecology

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High densities of native and introduced deer hamper the regeneration of temperate forests worldwide. Sport hunting is often the sole means of deer control, but whether it can restore forest regeneration remains uncertain. We assessed the potential to restore forest regeneration using unrestricted sport hunting alongside commercial harvesting and government‐funded culling of introduced sika deer (Cervus nippon) across a 594 km2 landscape in North Island, New Zealand. We used six decades of repeated measurements of forest regeneration and deer presence, alongside monitoring of tagged stems in a 20‐year paired exclosure experiment, to determine whether deer control restored regeneration. In our exclosure experiment, mountain beech (Fuscospora cliffortioides) seedling and sapling density, growth and survival were variable but consistently higher when deer were excluded by fencing. Sapling counts in unfenced plots were ≈3–10 times lower after 60 years of deer control compared with unfenced plots, before sika colonisation and other mountain beech forests without sika deer. This result suggests canopy replacement remains at risk despite government‐funded culling and encouragement of sport hunting. Individual‐based demographic models show that mountain beech is unlikely to regenerate following canopy gap formation in our study landscape unless deer impacts are reduced from current levels. These demographic models predicted present‐day forest regeneration far better than two widely used proxies of deer impact: plot‐based counts of saplings and estimates of deer densities from faecal pellet counts. Synthesis and applications. Here, we show that intensive culling beyond that achievable by sport hunting is needed to reduce deer densities enough to assure canopy regeneration. These interventions will be necessary in the many places worldwide where sport hunting is being relied upon to protect forests but appears to be failing. Given the controversy associated with deer culling, and the need for clear evidence to justify its implementation, we suggest managers could strengthen the evidence base for their interventions by collecting data to build demographic models.

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“…Recent work compares the ecological effects of nonindigenous plant invasion and deer pressure on native communities (Blossey & Gorchov, 2017; Gorchov et al, 2021), but has not compared the chemical responses of native plants to both stressors. Given the protective role of plant secondary chemistry, but also its possible physiological cost (Ballhorn et al, 2014), such a comparison will aid our understanding of the relative importance of invasive plants and abundant deer in suburban plant communities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%