Modeling forage potential for red deer ( Cervus elaphus ): a tree-level approach

摘要: Red deer (Cervus elaphus) are mixed feeders that consume both herbaceous and woody plants. As a consequence, intensive browsing on trees where red populations particularly dense often leads to serious conflicts between the interests of forestry hunting stakeholders. Therefore, understanding density forest system can bear requires ability measure amount potential forage provided by non-commercial tree species within stand serve as forage. Our objective was build models estimate (i.e., maximum biomass edible accessible for consumption per tree) based size [i.e., stem base diameter (d0)]. We developed three commonly consumed in Central Europe, aspen (Populus tremula), goat willow (Salix caprea) rowan (Sorbus aucuparia). To construct potential, we harvested 380 young (age 2–15 years) 14 sites Western Carpathians Slovakia. Tree first divided into components (stem bark, branches foliage), each which subdivided non-edible portions branch height from ground then dried weighed. quantified species, component season (growing vs. dormant). The total mass (forage potential) could be generally increased with size, but relative contributions different varied season. predicted was ~ 500 g aspen, 350 g 300 g summer, nearly 500 g 250 g winter. Together theoretical knowledge practical experience, our used help wildlife managers better how might minimize risk damaging commercially valuable trees.