Deer Browsing Increases Stem Slenderness and Crown Irregularity and Modifies the Effects of Light Gradients on Architecture of Forest Tree Saplings.

ABSTRACT: Browsing by ungulates is commonly assumed to target the upper parts of sapling crowns, leading to reduced vertical growth or even growth cessation. However, the extent to which browsing induces shifts in resource allocation toward lateral growth remains unclear. This study explores the impact of browsing intensity (BI) and light availability on the architectural traits of six temperate tree species, focusing on height-diameter ratio (H/D), crown slenderness (CL/CW), and crown irregularity (CI) across sapling height classes. Browsing pressure and architectural responses varied across height groups, reflecting diverse adaptive strategies. BI was weakly but negatively correlated with sapling height, indicating that even tall saplings (> 2 m) experience browsing, particularly in the lower crow

SUBMITTER: Cacciatori C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11745818 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature