Article (Scientific journals)
Interspecific Growth Reductions Caused by Wild Ungulates on Tree Seedlings and Their Implications for Temperate Quercus-Fagus Forests
Candaele, Romain; Ligot, Gauthier; Licoppe, Alain et al.
2023In Forests, 14 (7), p. 1330
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Keywords :
Forestry; regeneration; browsing; succession; continuous cover forestry; enclosure–exclosure; Cervus elaphus; Capreolus capreolus
Abstract :
[en] Ungulate impacts on forest understory alter tree species composition, with cascading effects on forest functions and resilience against future climate conditions. Indeed, the ungulate browsing pressure on tree seedlings is species-specific and causes contrasted growth reductions that alter tree recruitment rates. Untangling the effects of browsing from the effects of the other factors driving regeneration success is required to guide the forest and ungulate management. In particular, Fagus sylvatica L. strongly dominates temperate Quercus-Fagus forests close to their climax, and it remains unclear if controlling ungulate populations can maintain tree species diversity in naturally regenerated forests. We addressed this question by monitoring 734 pairs of fenced and unfenced 6-m2 plots across a broad gradient of Cervus elaphus L. abundance in Belgian Quercus-Fagus forests managed by continuous cover forestry. Seedling height, density, and vegetation cover were monitored from 2016 to 2021. Species diversity and ecological affinity for light, temperature, and atmospheric humidity conditions were computed from these measures. With ungulates, the mean growth of Betula pendula Roth. and Sorbus aucuparia L. was negligible, whereas, without ungulates, their growth was higher than the growth of other species. With ungulates, the growth of Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies (L.) H. Karst was higher than other species. Quercus (Quercus petreae (Matt.) Liebl and Quercus robur L.) growth was the lowest in all conditions. Finally, Carpinus betulus L. was heavily browsed but still grew higher than its competitors with ungulates. Ungulate browsing can then severely affect seedling growth and likely reduce the diversity of future recruited trees. In the study area, browsing unfavored the regeneration of the species that are less shade tolerant, more-drought tolerant, and more-heat tolerant. It thus accelerates the natural succession and reduces forest resilience to heat and drought events. Such an observation was found valid over a wide study area encompassing contrasting levels of Cervus elaphus L. abundance. Combining further reductions of ungulate populations with foodscape improvement is likely required to maintain species diversity in these forests.
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Phytobiology (plant sciences, forestry, mycology...)
Zoology
Author, co-author :
Candaele, Romain  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre
Ligot, Gauthier  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre > Gestion des ressources forestières
Licoppe, Alain  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT
Lievens, Julien;  Department of Natural and Agricultural Environment Studies, Public Service of Wallonia, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
Fichefet, Violaine;  Department of Natural and Agricultural Environment Studies, Public Service of Wallonia, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
Jonard, Mathieu;  UCLouvain—Earth and Life Institute, 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
André, Frédéric ;  UCLouvain—Earth and Life Institute, 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Lejeune, Philippe  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre > Gestion des ressources forestières
Language :
English
Title :
Interspecific Growth Reductions Caused by Wild Ungulates on Tree Seedlings and Their Implications for Temperate Quercus-Fagus Forests
Publication date :
28 June 2023
Journal title :
Forests
ISSN :
1999-4907
Publisher :
MDPI AG
Volume :
14
Issue :
7
Pages :
1330
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
SPW - Public Service of Wallonia [BE]
BELSPO - Politique scientifique fédérale [BE]
Available on ORBi :
since 26 September 2023

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