Impact of herbivory of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on plant community composition

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Date

1996

Authors

Koh, Saewan
Watt, Trudy A.
Bazely, Dawn
Pearl, David L.
Tang, Maxine
Carleton, Terry J.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Association of Applied Biologists, Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, Warwick.

Abstract

The woodland ground flora of permanent quadrats in dry, wet and mesic habitats in Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada was recorded in 1992. This park is a premier example of Carolinian or deciduous forest, but is heavily grazed and browsed by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) . Within each habitat type there were both grazed and year-old fenced plots. In addition, the flora was recorded in 14-year old deer exclosures in the woodland. The long-term ungrazed plots contained greater amounts of species characteristic of Carolinian woodland (e.g. Arisaema triphyllum and Trillium grandiflorum), whereas the grazed plots had higher levels of invasive weeds (e.g. Stellaria media and Berberis thunbergii ). These data provide a baseline against which recovery of ground flora may be assessed following the herd reduction which took place in winter 1993 . Over-grazing by deer is a problem also found in southern English woodlands where roe, fallow, muntjac and sika deer numbers have increased in recent years.

Description

Keywords

Browsing, Carolinian forest, Multivariate analysis, Grazing, Deciduous forest, Spring ephemeral, Understorey community

Citation

19. Koh, S., Watt, T.A., Bazely, D.R., Pearl, D.L., Tang, M. and Carleton, T.J. 1996. Impact of herbivory of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on plant community composition. Aspects of Applied Biology, Vegetation management in forestry, amenity and conservation areas: Managing for multiple objectives. Association of Applied Biologists, Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, Warwick. 44: 445-450.