Abstract Detail

Interactions of White-Tailed Deer and Invasive Plants in Forests of Eastern North America

Jenkins, Michael [1], Freeman, Charlotte [2], Jacobs, Douglass [2].

The effects of white-tailed deer and Lonicera maackii on native vegetation and underplanted seedlings in mixed hardwood forests.

While the effects of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle) on forest regeneration have been studied independently, less is known about possible interactive effects. In this study, we evaluated the development of one-year-old Quercus rubra (northern red oak) and Castanea dentata (American chestnut) seedlings in response to L. maackii removal and deer exclusion in five forests of west-central Indiana. The underplanted seedlings were assessed at the beginning and end of each growing season for survival, browse, and growth. Foliar nitrogen concentration and water stress of seedlings were also evaluated. In addition, we measured the cover of herbaceous-layer species and tallied the abundance of naturally regenerated tree seedlings by species. The survival of C. dentata and Q. rubra seedlings was greatest in the areas in which L. maackii was removed and white-tailed deer were excluded. Plant moisture stress was greater in the removal areas for both Q. rubra C. dentata and was greater outside the deer exclosures for C. dentata. There was no difference in the proportion of seedlings browsed in areas with or without L. maackii. There also was no difference in foliar nitrogen concentration among treatments; however relative height growth was greater in the absence of deer for both species. Native herbaceous-layer species richness, evenness, and diversity were greater where L. maackii was removed, but we found little effect of deer after two years of exclusion. While we observed no differences in species richness, diversity, or overall abundance of naturally regenerated tree seedlings, we did observe some differences in individual species densities across treatments. The density of Acer saccharum (sugar maple) was greater under L. maackii, but did not differ with deer exclusion. The density of Fraxinus americana (white ash) increased where L. maackii was removed and deer were present. Prunus serotina (black cherry) density was greatest where L. maackii was removed, but decreased through time regardless of treatment. The presence of L. maackii and deer had a positive effect on the density of Ulmus spp. (elm species). Our results indicate that the exclusion of deer and the control of L. maackii may be necessary for successful establishment and growth of underplanted seedlings in forest restoration efforts. Lonicera maackii removal may also be necessary for the recovery of tree seedlings and herbs, however, the effects of deer on the overall vegetation community may require more time to manifest than the two year duration of this study.

1 - Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907-2061, United States
2 - Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907-2061, United States

Keywords:
Forest restoration
reproduction and regeneration
temperate forest
species diversity.

Presentation Type: Colloquium Presentations
Session: C1, Interactions of white-tailed deer and invasive plants in forests of eastern North America
Location: Chatham Ballroom - C/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 4:15 PM
Number: C1010
Abstract ID:185
Candidate for Awards:None