Vegetation dynamics in clearcut sites with deer fencing and culling of sika deer
2019
Sakai, A. (Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) (Japan). Shikoku Research Center) | Otani, T. | Miyamoto, K. | Yayota, C. | Fujii, S.
We investigated vegetation dynamics at clearcut sites to examine the effect of exclosures and/or culling of sika deer. After weeding at two clearcut sites, exclosure fences were built and vegetation was assessed inside and outside of the exclosures at both sites. A total of 14 sika deer were culled at one of the sites and no culling was carried out at the other site. An unpalatable plant, Macleaya cordata, dominated the vegetation community at both sites initially. Species composition changed and cover of some plants, such as Rubus hirsutus increased rapidly inside the exclosure fence after weeding but did not increase outside the exclosure fence. Rubus and some other plants developed after culling of sika deer, but this change was muted at the site where no culling was conducted. Thus, Rubus can be an indicator plant reflecting browsing pressure by sika deer.
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