The unenclosure: effects of enclosure removal on muntjac damage to ground flora

摘要

In this paper we report on the changes to the ground flora of a young natural succession woodland site following the part removal of an enclosure designed to exclude grazing mammals, notably Muntiacus reevesi (muntjac deer). Three areas were monitoredfrom May 2004 to August 2006; a control area outside of the enclosure, an area remaining inside the enclosure and an area of enclosure where the fencing was removed. Within the enclosure there was continued growth, particularly of woody species such asthe early coloniser Bramble Rubus fruticosus. In the area where fencing was removed, grazing reduced R. fruticosus down to background levels.