Comparison of deer browsing intensity of tree seedlings in open and fenced plots in Southern Ontario, Canada

Abstract

This study examined the intensity of browsing by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on tree seedling growth in wildlife management unit (WMU) 83B. The study was conducted in an island ecosystem that has regular browsing with a large white-tailed deer population. I used exclusion plots to compare the percent browse and tree seedling height between open and fenced plots located in an open area plantation and a bush area plantation with partial shade. One plot from each area had a constructed electrical fence to control and measure the intensity of the deer browsing on the plots. Species used for observation were the following: Pinus strobus (eastern white pine) and Acer freemanii (autumn blaze maple). Observations of regenerating species in the plots allowed for examining deer browsing intensity and seedling growth effected by whitetailed deer in an island ecosystem. Fenced plots experienced no disruptions to growth and non-fenced plots showed immediate effects to growth due to high densities of white-tailed deer. Deciduous seedlings were browsed more than coniferous seedlings, although autumn blaze maples showed resilience to browsing. My results suggest that exclusion fencing similar to that used here can be an effective means of preventing deer browse and may be useful in areas where intensive deer browsing otherwise greatly impedes seedling growth.