Impacts of white-tailed deer on forest regeneration in northwestern Pennsylvania
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Authors: N. G. Tilghman
Date: 1989
Journal: Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume: 53
Number: 3
Pages: 524-532
Summary of Methods: The impacts of deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herbivory on forest regeneration were determined in clearcut, thinned, and uncut Pennsylvania hardwood forest plots stocked at different deer densities. In all cutting treatments the vegetation was shorter and less diverse in plots exposed to the highest deer density (80 deer / 259 ha) five years after cutting treatments were applied and deer were introduced. In clearcut and thinned areas, increasing the deer density decreased the height of seedlings and woody stems, and decreased the density of sensitive seedlings surviving to greater size classes. The author used the results of this study and previous research to determine that a density of 18 deer per 259 ha (the current goal of the Pennsylvania Game and Fish Department) was the greatest deer density that these plots could support while maintaining the density and diversity of herbaceous and woody species that are valuable for industry and wildlife in this area.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: white-tailed deer, odocoileus virginianus, alleghany hardwood forests, species composition, species diversity, clearcutting, herbivore density
Annotation: Deer were stocked in clear cut, thinned, and uncut hardwood forest plots at densities of 0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 deer per 259 ha.
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