Impacts of large herbivores on woodlands

 

Summary

The aim of this programme is to improve our advice both on reducing the damage caused by large herbivores as well as on the use of large herbivores as a management tool to achieve biodiversity objectives.

Heavy grazing by domestic stock and wild deer can result in severe damage to planted trees in both new native woodlands and in commercial forestry. It can also prevent natural tree regeneration and reduce populations of valuable ground layer plant species. In many cases this will be undesirable however the prevention, or reduction, of tree regeneration, and the control of competitive ground layer species, is often necessary to create the conditions that many species of woodland flora and fauna require. Thus large herbivores can be either agents of damage or a valuable management tool.

Research objectives

• To improve our understanding of the factors affecting the relationship between herbivores densities and damage to young trees and ground flora in commercial and non-commercial woodlands
• To assess the long-term implications of herbivore impacts in woodlands, and the effects on fauna and bio-diversity
• To develop computer models that will help managers to predict future deer populations and the impact of large herbivores on woodlands
• To develop both quantitative and qualitative methods of assessing the impact of deer and domestic stock on woodlands
• To further develop existing methods of assessing deer population density.

Projects

Current projects

• Assessing the effects of bark stripping by deer
• Collaborative frameworks in land management: A case study on integrated deer management
• Deer density and impacts in lowland woodlands
• Developing methods to monitor performance and health of deer
• Development of a web-based woodland grazing toolbox 
• Estimating deer recruitment rates from cull data
• Methods of assessing deer population density
• Methods of assessing the impact of deer on woodland
• Modelling deer population dynamics
• The impact of cattle on a Scots pine woodland

Completed projects

• A survey of cattle grazed woodlands in Britain
• Assessment methods for overgrazing in upland woodlands
• Testing methods of assessing the impact of beavers on woodland vegetation

Funders and partners

Most of this work forms part of the impacts of herbivores on woodland ecosystems research programme that is funded by the Forestry Commission.

Work on some projects is performed in partnership with and is funded by other institutions and organisations.

Forestry Commission policy

The Forestry Commission implements Government policy on both woodland biodiversity and sustainability. Deer and stock can have a major impact on both the biodiversity value of woodlands and on their sustainable management. Our research improves the guidance we provide to woodland managers on achieving the desired impact.

Publications about ...

• Impacts of large herbivores on woodlands
• Grazing management
• Deer management
• Deer population density assessment
• Tree and woodland impact assessment
• Foraging behaviour of large mammals

Status

Projects falling under this programme heading have been underway for many years but were brought together under this programme heading in April 2005. The programme is reviewed every five years.

Contact

Deer impacts

Dr Robin Gill
Ecology Division
Forest Research
Alice Holt Lodge
Farnham
Surrey GU10 4LH

Tel: +44 (0) 1420 22255
Fax: +44 (0) 1420 23653
Email: robin.gill@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Deer population modelling, livestock and other herbivore impacts

Dr Helen Armstrong
Ecology Division
Forest Research
Northern Research Station
Roslin
Midlothian EH25 9SY

Tel: +44 (0)131 445 6954
Fax: +44 (0)131 445 7335
Email: helen.armstrong@forestry.gsi.gov.uk