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Divergent nonlinear responses of the boreal forest field layer along an experimental gradient of deer densities

Oecologia volume 150, pages 78–88 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

The early responses of the field layer to changes in biotic and abiotic conditions are key determinants of the future composition and structure of forests where sustained heavy browsing pressure has depauperated the shrub understory. We investigated the relationships between white-tailed deer density and field layer plant community dynamics in boreal forests managed for wildlife and timber production. We hypothesized that the growth and reproduction of field layer plants are either: (H1) directly proportional to deer density, or (H2) related to deer density through nonlinear relationships or (H3) through nonlinear relationships with thresholds. We tested these hypotheses using data from a controlled browsing experiment involving a gradient of deer densities (0, 7.5, 15, 27 and 56 deer km−2) in interaction with timber harvesting conducted on Anticosti Island, Canada. In recent clearcuts, the dominant responses of the field layer plants were exponential recovery in growth and reproduction with decreasing deer densities. The abundance of browse-tolerant species such as grasses was positively related to deer density, suggesting an apparent competitive gain. These results support the prediction from our second hypothesis, although the presence of ecological thresholds should not be ruled out. Rapid changes in the early successional stages have potentially long-term consequences on successional patterns through processes such as the modulation of germination and early establishment success of seedlings from later successional species. Quantitative data as those presented here are essential for the development of ecosystem management prescriptions. On Anticosti Island, reduction of local deer densities to levels <15–7.5 deer km−2 in the first 3 years following timber harvesting appears to be compatible with the regeneration dynamics of this system although lower levels of deer densities may be required for the conservation of browse-sensitive plant species.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by an Industrial Research Chair grant to J.H. and supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Produits forestiers Anticosti Inc. (PFA), Université Laval, Centre d’études nordiques, and Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec. J.P.T. received scholarships from NSERC and the Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la nature et les technologies during this study. The Société des établissements de plein air du Québec, Pourvoirie du Lac Geneviève and Comité de gestion de la chasse sur le territoire des résidents de l’Île d’Anticosti provided logistical support. Many members and staff of the NSERC-PFA Industrial Research Chair contributed to field work. G. Daigle from the Service de Consultation Statistique at U. Laval helped with the analyses. We are grateful to Steeve Côté, Karen Harper, Alison Hester, John Pastor, Nathalie Pettorelli and Robert Weladji for their comments on previous versions of the manuscript. The experiments reported in this paper comply with the current laws and regulations in Quebec, Canada.

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Affiliations

  1. Chaire de recherche industrielle CRSNG – Produits forestiers Anticosti, Département de biologie, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1K 7P4

    Jean-Pierre Tremblay, Jean Huot & François Potvin

  2. Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1K 7P4

    Jean-Pierre Tremblay & Jean Huot

  3. Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, 930, chemin Sainte-Foy, 3e étage, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1S 2L4

    François Potvin

  4. Institutt for biologi, NTNU, 7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Jean-Pierre Tremblay

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  1. Jean-Pierre Tremblay
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  2. Jean Huot
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  3. François Potvin
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Correspondence to Jean-Pierre Tremblay.

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Communicated by Oswald Schmitz

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Tremblay, JP., Huot, J. & Potvin, F. Divergent nonlinear responses of the boreal forest field layer along an experimental gradient of deer densities. Oecologia 150, 78–88 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-006-0504-2

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Keywords

  • Boreal forest
  • Grazing
  • Odocoileus virginianus
  • Plant-herbivore interactions
  • Succession