Understory vegetation dynamics and tree regeneration as affected by deer herbivory in temperate hardwood forests

Laurent, L.; Mårell, Anders; Balandier, Philippe; Holveck, H.; Saı̈d, Sonia

doi:10.3832/ifor2186-010

Cited by 17 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(29 reference statements)

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“…Further supporting our hypotheses, we observed an interaction with vegetation control having variable effects in the fenced vs. non-fenced plots. This aligns with results of Owings et al (2017), which showed increased height of planted Castanea dentata [17][18][19][20]. Although vegetation control in the absence of browsing improved seedling development in fenced plots, herbivory was a greater driver of Q. virginiana performance than competition in non-fenced plots.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…that simultaneous control of browsing and vegetative competition may synergistically improve seedling performance [13][14][15]. While there have been many studies on the individual effects of herbivory and competition, few previous studies have examined the interactive effects, with those that have showing varied results [16][17][18][19][20][21]. Competition between planted seedlings and neighboring vegetation limits the availability of soil nutrients, water, and light, impairing basic plant physiological processes [22].…”

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confidence: 99%

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Herbivory and Competing Vegetation Interact as Site Limiting Factors in Maritime Forest Restoration

Thyroff

Burney

Jacobs

2019

Forests

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Herbivory and competition during the regeneration phase influence forest successional dynamics. We demonstrated the importance of using the Target Plant Concept to identify and overcome site limiting factors for subtropical maritime forest restoration associated with deer browsing and competition. Quercus virginiana Mill. (live oak) bareroot seedlings were planted into clearcuts along the US Southern Atlantic coast with different treatment combinations of herbivory control (fenced or non-fenced) against white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimm.) browsing and competing vegetation removal (none, one-year, or two-years). After three growing seasons, mean seedling survival was 61% with no significant treatment differences. Control of browse and vegetation interacted to facilitate growth of live oak; seedlings were significantly larger for all response parameters (diameter, height, crown width) when fenced and treated with vegetation control. Removal of vegetation improved seedling performance only in fenced plots, however, indicating a shift in pressure from herbivory to competition as the most limiting site factor when deer were excluded. After the second growing season, foliar nitrogen was greater in fenced plots than non-fenced plots and greater in two-year vegetation control subplots than non-vegetation control subplots. This result, however, was absent after the third growing season. Three years after clearcutting, there was no evidence of Q. virginiana natural regeneration in non-fenced plots. Even with artificial regeneration in non-fenced plots, Q. virginiana growth was slow, indicating that herbivory was a key limiting factor. Our findings illustrate the importance of accounting for site limiting factors and may aid in developing management prescriptions to promote semi-evergreen oak regeneration in ecosystems with high pressure from herbivory and competing vegetation.that simultaneous control of browsing and vegetative competition may synergistically improve seedling performance [13][14][15]. While there have been many studies on the individual effects of herbivory and competition, few previous studies have examined the interactive effects, with those that have showing varied results [16][17][18][19][20][21]. Competition between planted seedlings and neighboring vegetation limits the availability of soil nutrients, water, and light, impairing basic plant physiological processes [22]. In turn, competition restricts the ability of seedlings to establish, grow, and survive [23,24]. In clearcuts, light is notably increased, releasing competing vegetation from the seed bank and understory, while also providing habitat for recruitment of early successional competition via seed dispersal. Pioneer vegetation may acclimate quickly and take advantage of increased light and other resources in clearcuts, suppressing regeneration [25][26][27]. Controlling competition is therefore often deemed necessary following clearcutting. Under specific circumstances, however, a trade-off exists whereby competition may be bene...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

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confidence: 99%

Herbivory and Competing Vegetation Interact as Site Limiting Factors in Maritime Forest Restoration

Thyroff

Burney

Jacobs

2019

Forests

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“…It seems that the height structure of a single tree species or the diversity of tree species per height class or layer of understory vegetation may better indicate browsing pressure than the total abundance of species or the diversity of the entire tree species regeneration. However, little is known about how deer affect the diversity of tree species regeneration when seedlings overgrow height classes (but see Laurent, Mårell, Balandier, Holveck, & Saïd, ; Meier, Stöhr, Walde, & Tasser, ; Schulze et al., ). This information is crucial for understanding the influence of deer on the diversity of the tree species composition of forest stands as well as for assessing the possibility of practicing silvicultural systems that are based on natural regeneration (O'Hara, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the long‐term impact of deer on understory vegetation in mixed temperate forests

Simončič

Bončina

Jarni

et al. 2019

J Vegetation Science

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Questions What is the long‐term impact of deer browsing on the diversity of the herbaceous layer and tree species regeneration? Which parameters of regeneration of the tree species regeneration and the herbaceous layer best indicate browsing impact? Study site Dinaric Mountains, Slovenia. Methods We studied the long‐term impact of red deer on mixed temperate forests by comparing the tree species regeneration and herbaceous layer vegetation under two treatments: deer present, no deer. We analyzed the regeneration of trees older than one year up to a diameter at breast height of 10 cm (categorized into five height classes) and the cover abundance of plant species in the herbaceous layer (<50 cm). Results There were no significant differences between the treatments in the number of tree species regeneration. Browsing impact on the most abundant tree species—European beech, silver fir and sycamore—varied, indicating differences in palatability. When deer were present, the number of silver fir regenerating was significantly lower in all height classes, and regeneration of European beech specimens shorter than 50 cm was more abundant, while for sycamore shorter seedlings (<20 cm) were more abundant, and regeneration of taller specimens (≥50 cm) was significantly less abundant. The reduction of tree species diversity during natural regeneration is evident. There were no significant differences between the treatments in the number and diversity of plant species in the herbaceous layer; however, the abundance of 13 plant species differed significantly between the treatments. Deer reduce the density of tree species saplings due to long‐term browsing and thus indirectly increase tree species diversity in the regeneration up to 20 cm in height and plant species diversity in the herbaceous layer. Conclusions We documented the direct and indirect impact of deer on the diversity of tree species regeneration, but only found an indirect influence on the diversity of the herbaceous layer. The height structure of palatable tree species regeneration appears to be the most appropriate indicator of browsing impact. The observed browsing impact leads to the complete dominance of European beech in the tree species composition of forest stands.

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“…Many studies have been devoted to the research of natural oak regeneration (Dobrowolska, 2008;Götmark & Kiffer, 2014;Levchenko, 2014;Annighöfer et al, 2015;Vizoso-Arribe et al, 2015;Jensen & Löf, 2017;Kopiy et al, 2017;Laurent et al, 2017;Bobiec et al, 2018), in particular in the conditions of the Left-bank Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine (Tkach et al, 1996;Vedmid et al, 2008;Tkach et al, 2014;Rumiantsev, 2015;Tkach et al, 2015;Chygrynets et al, 2016;Rumiantsev & Lyk'yanets, 2016;Tkach et al, 2017;Didenko & Polyakov, 2018;Rumiantsev et al, 2018a, b). At the same time, this area of research remains relevant due to the need to develop ways to increase the area of oak stands, in particular, by promoting their natural regeneration by sowing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ukrainian plain oak forests and their natural regeneration

Tkach

Rumiantsev²,

Kobets³

et al. 2019

Forestry Studies

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Changes in the areas and stock volumes of oak stands were analyzed within the six administrative regions in the plain area of Ukraine, based on forest management data (subcompartment database) as of 2001 and 2016. The studied regions geographically related to the Left-bank Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine (Kyiv, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy and Chernihiv Regions). The analyzed area was over 284,000 hectares. The paper outlines the present state of the oak stands, concerning their origin (vegetative, natural seed and planted seed stands). Forestry-taxation indices of the stands were determined by grouping the plots according to age and further clustering in four age groups. The natural regeneration under a canopy in oak stands was accounted and estimated using circular 10 m2 (R = 178 cm) accounting plots. The oak forests were found to be dominated by stands of vegetative (coppice) origin (57%). Planted seed-origin oak stands covered 101,000 ha or 36% of the total area (284,000 ha). Stands of natural seed origin amounted to 7%. From 2001 to 2016, the total area of oak forests in the study region decreased by nearly 7,000 hectares. The analysis of literature sources allowed identifying numerous factors, which have the greatest influence on the emergence, liveability, and growth of natural regeneration of pedunculated oak. Only 20% of the investigated oak stands were found to have a sufficient amount of oak regeneration. For the implementation of sustainable forest management, activities should be aimed at optimizing the age structure of oak forests and growing natural forests from seeds.

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Understory vegetation dynamics and tree regeneration as affected by deer herbivory in temperate hardwood forests

Cited by 17 publications

References 30 publications

Herbivory and Competing Vegetation Interact as Site Limiting Factors in Maritime Forest Restoration

Herbivory and Competing Vegetation Interact as Site Limiting Factors in Maritime Forest Restoration

Assessment of the long‐term impact of deer on understory vegetation in mixed temperate forests

Ukrainian plain oak forests and their natural regeneration

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