The Effect of the European Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) on the Woody Vegetation of Gray Beach Forest in the Great Smoky Mountains

摘要

The European wild boar (Sus scrofa) was introduced into the mountains of North Carolina in 1912 and since has spread into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Omnivorous feeding and rooting disturbance by this exotic species is a management problem in the park. The Gray Beech forest is extensively used by wild boar. Vegetative sprouts of beech in disturbed areas were 4 to 45 times more numerous than sprouts in undisturbed areas.