Light availability and ungulate browsing determine growth, height and mortality of Abies alba saplings

Kupferschmid, Andrea D.; Wasem, Ulrich; Bugmann, Harald

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2014.01.027

Cited by 36 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…In the majority of cases, the degree of growth loss and stem deformation, as well as the likelihood of death, caused by browsing increases with the severity of browsing (Gill, 1992b;Wallgren et al, 2014). As solitary (and in particular planted) tree saplings are more likely to be browsed than densely regenerated recruitments (Čermák et al, 2009;Reimoser and Gossow, 1996;van Beeck Calkoen et al, 2018) and are probably also more severely browsed, the mortality induced by ungulate browsing may prevent the upgrowth of such saplings (Kupferschmid et al, 2014). The apparently relatively low number of Abies saplings, and in particular of browsed Abies saplings, in the assessed Fagus-Abies and Abies-Picea forests may thus be the result of a combination of overall poor regeneration conditions and high browsing-induced mortality.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selective browsing behaviour of ungulates influences the growth of Abies alba differently depending on forest type

Kupferschmid

2018

Forest Ecology and Management

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Browsing only buds vs. a large part of the annual leader shoot was crucial.  Within-tree browsing intensity on Abies alba saplings was lower in Fagus-dominated forests.  Due to selective browsing, lightly browsed saplings grew better than unbrowsed ones.  Strong browsing on leader shoots contributes to shifts in the species' growth ranking.  Surveying within-tree browsing intensity is recommended to accurately estimate browsing impacts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selective browsing behaviour of ungulates influences the growth of Abies alba differently depending on forest type

Kupferschmid

2018

Forest Ecology and Management

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“…In this study, 2-year old seedlings were planted at the limits of their distribution, and therefore at the limits of their physiological tolerance, as is apparent from their low growth rate and high mortality after adverse climatic events (Ameztegui and Coll, 2013). This may explain in part the high lethality we found given that the ability of plants to get over browsing is known to strongly depend on tree vigor (Kupferschmid et al, , 2014.…”

Section: Impact Of Browsing On Species-specific Seedling Mortality Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this purpose, we planted seedlings of the main tree species in the Eastern Pyrenees in an area grazed both by livestock and wild ungulates, and under contrasting environmental conditions. By planting even-aged seedlings in areas with non-modified browsing conditions, we wanted to assess the effect of specific seedling selection by herbivores (Kupferschmid et al, 2014). Mortality of seedlings due to browsing, although often non-visible, can be more determinant on forest dynamics than mortality of saplings, but the later has been more studied because the damages are more evident and easier to determine (Reimoser, 2003;Senn and Suter, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Herbivory and seedling establishment in Pyrenean forests: Influence of micro- and meso-habitat factors on browsing pressure

Améztegui

Coll

2015

Forest Ecology and Management

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a b s t r a c tBrowsing damage is among the most determinant factors that limit the establishment of tree seedlings in forests. In some areas, this process leads to massive mortalities that can reduce or even completely prevent the regeneration of some tree species. Mediterranean mountain forests have undergone during the last decades important changes in land-uses that have significantly altered the type and abundance of herbivore populations. In this study we assessed the impact of current grazing conditions in forest regeneration using a set of experimental plantations established in the Eastern Pyrenees in areas visited by domestic livestock (cattle and horses) and wild ungulates (mainly roe deer and chamois). We analyzed during 4 years the role of seedling species and size, mesohabitat (elevation and type of forest cover) and microhabitat (herbaceous cover, distance to shrub, and light availability) on the browsing-induced mortality of more than 500 seedlings of Pinus sylvestris, Pinus uncinata, Betula pendula and Abies alba, the most common tree species in the study area. Browsing-induced mortality for the three conifer species was much lower (<15%) than the one observed for B. pendula (>40%) and depended on both microhabitat -mainly on the distance to protective elements such as shrubs; and mesohabitat, with an interaction between the elevational belt (site) and the type of forest cover (gaps vs. understory). In the subalpine belt, browsing on A. alba and P. uncinata was higher during summer at plots located in the forest understory whereas, during winter, it was higher at plots located in gaps. The study shows that both mesohabitat and microhabitat can exert an effect on the patterns of plant damage by herbivores, providing useful information to adapt forest management in areas particularly exposed to them.

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“…The presence of saplings of a certain height is a necessary precondition to reach a minimum number of unbrowsed regeneration trees per area and tree height. Whether seedlings and saplings of a certain tree species can be found at a certain forest site depends on a large number of factors, such as light availability (Weisberg et al 2005;Kupferschmid et al 2014), herbaceous vegetation cover, tree composition in the mature forest stand, soil fertility (Kuijper et al 2010a) and the browsing level (Hidding et al 2013;Kupferschmid et al 2014). An impact of the browsing of large herbivores on tree regeneration is mostly confined to trees smaller than 130 cm (Zai 1964;Welch et al 1992;Roth 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Number and height of unbrowsed saplings are more appropriate than the proportion of browsed saplings for predicting silvicultural regeneration success

Hagen

Kühl

Hanewinkel

et al. 2021

Annals of Forest Science

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• Key message The browsing level of oak (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur) and fir (Abies alba) provided only a rough estimate of the expected regeneration success. Thus, it cannot be recommended as a standard measurement to predict forest development, unless the number of saplings and the height of those saplings are considered. • Context Browsing by large herbivores may affect regeneration success and forest development, with an impact that lasts for decades. • Aims Whether the browsing level of a tree species can be used in forestry as a standard measure to assess whether the target values (for instance regeneration success) of highly selected tree species, such as oak (Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl., Quercus robur (L.)) and fir (Abies alba (Mill.)), will be reached is unclear and need specification. • Methods In this study, 985 sampling plots (10 m2) in Southern Germany (Baden-Württemberg) containing browsed and unbrowsed oak and fir-saplings were analysed. Both the browsing level and a measure of the expected regeneration success that considered not only the sapling density but also different height classes (≤ 20 cm; 21–50 cm; 51–130 cm) were calculated. • Results The use of the browsing level as a proxy for the expected regeneration success was statistically only partly justified. For fir the relationship between browsing level and expected regeneration success became even weaker for a new indicator variable which considers two height classes rather than one class for saplings exceeding 50 cm (51–80 cm and 81–130 cm). • Conclusion According to these results, the browsing level cannot be recommended as a standard measurement and/or predictor of damage, unless the number of saplings and the height of those saplings are considered. Thus, in efforts to mitigate conflicts between foresters and hunters, a measurement is needed that addresses the successful establishment of a sufficient number of trees despite browsing, rather than the browsing of trees alone.

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Light availability and ungulate browsing determine growth, height and mortality of Abies alba saplings

Cited by 36 publications

References 24 publications

Selective browsing behaviour of ungulates influences the growth of Abies alba differently depending on forest type

Selective browsing behaviour of ungulates influences the growth of Abies alba differently depending on forest type

Herbivory and seedling establishment in Pyrenean forests: Influence of micro- and meso-habitat factors on browsing pressure

Number and height of unbrowsed saplings are more appropriate than the proportion of browsed saplings for predicting silvicultural regeneration success

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