Effect of game browsing on natural regeneration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests in the Krušné hory Mts. (Czech Republic and Germany)

Abstract

Tree damage by game browsing is one of the biggest threats to forest ecosystems at the time of climate change and large-scale forest disturbances. The aim of the paper was to determine the effect of browsing by ungulates on the diversity, abundance and species composition of natural regeneration in forest stands dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). The research was conducted on 10 permanent research plots in the Krušné hory Mts. in the Czech Republic and Germany. The density of natural regeneration was in the range of 23,300–114,100 recruits ha−1. A higher proportion of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) was found in the regeneration compared to the mature stands. A total of 78% of recruits was damaged by browsing. The most frequently damaged tree species were sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.; 98%) and black alder (Alnus glutinosa [L.] Gaertn.; 97%), while Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst; 31%) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl.; 50%) were the least affected. Seventy-nine percent of European beech recruits were damaged. The game significantly reduced the height of regeneration by up to 40%, especially by terminal browsing. Browsing also negatively affected the quality and abundance of regeneration. For successful dynamics of species-rich natural forest ecosystems, it is necessary to minimize tree damage by game browsing. These main measures include the reduction of ungulate population levels and the optimization of their age structure and sex ratio, an increase in the number of overwintering enclosures and food fields for game and a change in the political approach to game management with sufficient consideration of forestry interests.

Influence of Tree Species and Size on Bark Browsing by Large Wild Herbivores

“…Our findings and those reported in other studies [ 20 , 21 , 43 ] suggested that presence of softwood broadleaved species can act as biological control against LWH browsing on economical tree species. Therefore, we recommend that these softwood broadleaved species (except birches in Central Europe) be retained within vulnerable forest stands during cleanings, thinning and tending.…”

“…Although they prefer grasses, a substantial amount of their diet, especially in winter, is also composed of foliage, branches, and the bark of trees and woody shrubs [ 17 , 18 ]. To maximize their intake of digestible energy and protein, red deer select the most nutritious plant species and plant parts with sufficient abundance that are available [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. However, when population density is high, intraspecific competition forces animals to also consume lower quality forages [ 22 ].…”

Interspecific Growth Reductions Caused by Wild Ungulates on Tree Seedlings and Their Implications for Temperate Quercus-Fagus Forests

“…Our results indicate that Sorbus aucuparia L. and Betula pendula Roth are highlight species, Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies broad species, and Quercus a nowhere species. The ranking of the species is consistent with the group definitions for browsing sensitivity [6,10,25,35,42,[73][74][75], shade tolerance [23,76], and how their growth is affected by light conditions (Figure S8). When canopy cover is low, birch and Sorbus aucuparia L. grow faster than other species, and ungulate pressure reduction can strongly increase their recruitment, in contrast to Quercus, which grows slowly and whose development is strongly affected by other competing species.…”

Holocene forest and land-use history of the Erzgebirge, central Europe: a review of palynological data

“…On the one hand, however, the speed of active forest conversion is currently not keeping pace with the dying of forest stands. On the other hand, a lack of mother trees for deciduous trees and Abies as well as excessive game populations slow down natural forest change (Fuchs et al, 2021). In the future, Fagus, other deciduous trees, and possibly also Abies in the Erzgebirge will probably benefit from the rising temperatures resulting from climate change and expand upwards.…”