INCREASED ABUNDANCE OF EXOTIC PLANTS BENEATH FOREST CANOPY GAPS FACILITATED BY WHITE-TAILED DEER HERBIVORY
| dc.contributor.author | Kai L. Caraher | |
| dc.contributor.department | Hood College Biology | |
| dc.contributor.program | Biomedical and Environmental Science | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-11-15T16:34:48Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-11-15T16:34:48Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2009-04 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The combination of deer overpopulation, frequent or intense windstorms, and invasions of exotic plants can profoundly affect forest understory composition. This research examined deer herbivory in 14 forest canopy gaps created by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 at Catoctin Mountain Park near Thurmont, Maryland. Deer population density in the park was 34 deer/km 2 in 2006. Percent cover of 117 species of exotic and native herbaceous plants was measured inside 28 paired open or deer-exclosed 5x5 meter plots. Factorial repeated measures ANOVA revealed that deer affected the native and exotic plants in significantly different ways (F = 11.357, P = .002), although overall plant abundance was not reduced (F = .716, P = .405). Three years of herbicide treatments did not significantly reduce exotic plants in the fourth year. Reduction of overabundant deer populations will increase native plant abundance and reduce the successful invasion of exotic plants beneath canopy gaps. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | The author acknowledges the generous donation of time and resources by the U.S. Depa lent of the Interior, National Park Service (Sponsored Project Information Network grant number: 117490), the Catoctin Mountain Park, the National Capital Area Exotic Plant Management Team, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station (agreement number: JV-11242328-121), without which this research would have been prohibitively costly and time-consuming. The research benefitted greatly from the dedication and volunteer effort of the "Team Isabel" researchers, among them Joyce Bailey, Ken Bawer, Kerrie Kyde, Bill Prudden and other contributors too numerous to name here. This research topic and its relevance as an element of a forest succession model were developed by Mr. John Snitzer. Review and correction of the initial draft of this research compilation were undertaken by an anonymous editor and Dr. Douglas Boucher, who provided important commentary. I am indebted to the faculty and staff of Flood College, specifically the Environmental Biology Program and my thesis committee members: Dr. William L. Bruckart TIT, Dr. Eric C. Kindahl and Dr. Douglas Boucher. | |
| dc.format.extent | 36 pages | |
| dc.genre | Thesis | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11603/30760 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.title | INCREASED ABUNDANCE OF EXOTIC PLANTS BENEATH FOREST CANOPY GAPS FACILITATED BY WHITE-TAILED DEER HERBIVORY | |
| dc.type | Text |