Deer game, a key factor affecting population of European yew in beech forests of the Veľká Fatra Mts, Slovakia

Abstract

Browsing and bark peeling by ungulates is known to affect biodiversity and may constitute the main driving factor of single tree population dynamics. In Slovakia, European yew (Taxus baccata L.) is a threatened species protected by law and present in many protected areas. In the study, we emphasize that protecting land and individual plants may not be sufficient for maintaining of yew populations, unless controlling over damage by deer game is also undertaken. Our results show that in beech forests of the Veľká Fatra Mts, browsing and bark peeling constitute the main negative factor affecting yew seedling-sapling ingrowth transition, and the mortality and vitality loss of adult yew trees. We argue that ungulates may have a larger effect on biodiversity conservation than currently realized.

Population ecology and dynamics of a remnant natural population of European yew Taxus baccata in a lowland temperate forest – implications for use in reforestation

“…Despite several other studies reporting browsing to be an important factor for Taxus baccata growth and survival (Mysterud and Østbye 2004, Iszkuło et al 2014, Sedmáková et al 2018), we did not find any evidence of browsing in Munkebjerg Strandskov, and only a few individuals grew under sheltered conditions such as (spiny) shrubs (Supporting information), often considered as a defense against herbivory (García and Obeso 2003, Farris and Filigheddu 2008). Furthermore, even though we found that the presence of T. baccata in general was related to a closed canopy and north‐facing slopes, adult individuals were more prevalent in areas of high light availability (Fig.…”

“…Considering Taxus species in other areas, limiting factors for survival and regeneration at the T. baccata southern range limit include browsing and water availability (Farris and Filigheddu 2008, Linares 2013). Similarly, near the center of its European distribution in Austria and the Slovak Republic, browsing and competition is reported to be limiting especially sapling survival (Dhar et al 2007, Sedmáková et al 2018). Recommendations to include T. baccata in reforestation in these areas are therefore similar to those for northern Europe, most importantly protection from (spiny) nurse shrubs (García and Obeso 2003).…”

“…Although containing poisonous taxine alkaloids in its foliage, bark and seeds, some wildlife species such as deer and squirrels feed on T. baccata (Haigh et al 2015). However, deer‐browsing can negatively impact T. baccata recruitment, survival and growth (Mysterud and Østbye 2004, Dhar et al 2008, Kýpeťová et al 2018, Sedmáková et al 2018). Still, there seems to be variability in the degree of impact, as yew seedling survival in Poland was surprisingly high despite heavy browsing, reflecting a certain browse tolerance of T. baccata combined with protection from spiny shrubs (e.g.…”

Chemical compositions and biological activities of the oils from the genus Taxus and factors limiting the regeneration of endangered yews: a review

“…Although Taxus plants are known to thrive under dense forest canopy for a long time in the seedling stage, at maturity, they need canopy gaps without which they may lose the competition for essential resources [ 91 ]. It has been reported that a higher percentage of the living crown of associated species can harm Taxus species formation [ 93 ]. Sometimes, herbivores also play a key role in the development of canopy gaps [ 82 , 93 , 94 ].…”

“…It has been reported that a higher percentage of the living crown of associated species can harm Taxus species formation [ 93 ]. Sometimes, herbivores also play a key role in the development of canopy gaps [ 82 , 93 , 94 ]. Hence, good regeneration or survival of Taxu s plants is dependent on the suitability of the local environments.…”