Deer herbivory as an ecological constraint to restoration of degraded riparian corridors
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Authors: J. J. Opperman, and A. M. Merenlender
Date: 2000
Journal: Restoration Ecology
Volume: 8
Number: 1
Pages: 41-47
Summary of Methods: The effect of deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) herbivory that occurred 4-15 years ago and the recovery that has occurred on riparian corridors in Mendocino County, CA was investigated. Six deer exclosures (4 to 15 years old) on existing stream restoration efforts were compared to 6 upstream plots. Woody vegetations surveys recorded the amount, density, size, and type of vegetation for each exclosure and control plot.
Article Summary / Main Points: Density of saplings was greater in deer exclosures than control plots. Sixty-five percent of saplings were taller than 1 m within exclosures, compared with only 3% of saplings outside of exclosures. The species and age classes of sapling regeneration varied between streams. Within exclosures, 35% of saplings were less than 1 m tall while within control plots, 97% of saplings were less than 1 m in height. Herbivory by ungulates, wild or domestic, greatly impacts restoration efforts and excluding restoration sites from all ungulate grazing will increase the potential success of wooded riparian area restoration projects.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 14 Central California Coastal Valleys 15 Central California Coast Range
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Herbivory Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: grazing, exclusionary fencing, native ungulates, salix spp., alnus rhombifolia, mendocino county, california
Annotation: This replicated one year study and its associated results are applicable to any riparian area restoration project with woody species and potential for domestic livestock or wildlife herbivory. As with all grazing research results apply most directly to similar landscapes, seasons, livestock types and weather conditions. Regardless of species, ungulates can negatively impact or impede restoration efforts of degraded woody riparian corridors. Determining herbivory potential of all ungulates, followed by preliminary fencing projects should be recommended to managers and conservation agencies before initiating any riparian area restoration projects.
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