An indicator approach to capture impacts of white-tailed deer and other ungulates in the presence of multiple associated stressors.

ABSTRACT: Management of ungulates is contested ground that lacks stakeholder agreement on desirable population sizes and management approaches. Unfortunately, we often miss information about extent of local impacts, for example on plant communities, to guide management decisions. Typical vegetation impact assessments like the woody browse index do not assess herbaceous plants, and differences in browse severity can be a function of deer density, deer legacy effects, localized deer feeding preferences and/or differences in plant community composition. Furthermore, in heavily affected areas, few remnant plants may remain for assessments. We used a sentinel approach to assess impact of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), rodent attack, invasive earthworms and three invasive plants on sur

SUBMITTER: Blossey B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5585856 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature