Ungulate herbivory on buckbrush in an Arizona ponderosa pine forest
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Authors: D. W. Huffman and M. M. Moore
Date: 2003
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 56
Number: 4
Pages: 358-363
Summary of Methods: To study the effects of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and elk (Cervus elaphus) on buckbrush (Ceanothus fendleri), Huffman and Moore built exclosures around plots in 3 ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest restoration management units, and compared vegetative and flowering characteristics with unprotected plots for 2 years. On unprotected plots, 69% of the current-year branches were browsed during the first year and 44% were browsed the second year. Stem number, length and diameter, number of current-year branches, and current-year biomass on protected plots were all greater than on unprotected plots in the second year. Flowering stems were found on significantly more protected plots than unprotected plots in the second year. Effects of ungulate herbivores on buckbrush size, stem recruitment, morphology, and flowering represent important constraints to early understory development and restoration in this Southwest ponderosa pine forest.
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: ecological restoration, stem morphology, flower production, buckbrush, ceanothus fendleri, elk, cervus elaphus, mule deer, odocoileus hemionus
Annotation: None
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