IMPACTS OF WHITE-TAILED DEER ON ACORNS AND OAK REGENERATION IN SOUTHERN OHIO

摘要

In many of the oak dominated forests in the Central Hardwood Region there is a potentially serious lack of oak (Quercus spp.) regeneration (Clark 1993). Most oak species are of intermediate shade tolerance and are prolific sprouters (Burns and Honkala1990). Much of the literature indicates that oak regeneration is limited due to the lack of light reaching the forest floor and absence of disturbance, such as fire, which has been shown to provide oaks with a competitive advantage (Brose and VanLear 1998). However, even if the proper light conditions and disturbance regime are present to encourage oak establishment, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have the potential to have a negative impact on oak regeneration by consuming acorns (McShea and Schwede 1993) and browsing seedlings and sprouts (Lorimer 1993).