Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Damage caused by cervids is one of the main issues in forest management in Europe nowadays. Reduction of cervid population density to reduce damage to timber production stands is not always enough. Landowners in Europe practice multiple additional methods to reduce the browsing pressure on their production forests, e.g. by establishing fodder stands. Fodder stands provide woody fodder (trees) for the cervids instead of other methods like supplementary feeding where the forage provided normally consists of hay, root vegetables and other crops.

In my study I aimed to analyze utilization of fodder stands by wild ungulates managed in two Forest Districts in Western Poland: Głusko and Drawsko. I collected the data in five fodder stands and five timber production stands nearby (control stands), to determine differences in utilization by the wild ungulates. Data were collected from camera trap inventory during three weeks (12th March to 3rd April). After that I conducted an inventory of browsing intensity in the stands and collected tree shape data including total height and crown width to assess how the trees respond to browsing. All of that data were compared between stands and their management purpose.

Camera trap inventory did not show any reliable evidence of more extend utilization of fodder stand in comparison with control stand. Most of the photos triggered by the ungulates was taken the control stands. However, overall number of photos with the ungulates was relatively low. The browsing intensity inventory showed that fodder stands were browsed twice as intensive (average 42% of trees were browsed) as the control stands (21%). Similar patterns were observed in Głusko and Drawsko Forest District, although the browsing intensity as much higher in Drawsko. Data from tree shape analysis also suggest that trees in response to intense browsing in the fodder stands formed a cage structure to a greater extent than in production stands. Cage structure is estimated as a ratio between crown width to tree total height. A low ratio means trees are more slender and invest more in height growth rather than development of crown, while a high ratio indicates a cage structure typically induced by intensive browsing. Also species preferences of cervids on these plantations were analyzed with use of Jacobs Preference Index. Results shows that broadleaf species such as beech, linden and hornbeam are preferred by the local cervids. I did not find any strong relationships between camera trap observations and browsing intensity, which could be due to relatively short observation period and big areas of observed stands, however it is still interesting method in long term inventory of fodder stand utilization.

This study showed that cervid utilize fodder stands as intended, and there are as such good reasons to practice this type of management . However, this topic still need long term research with wider spectrum of fodder and control stands.