2000-00780 Minimizing the Impacts of Herbivory in Forest Regeneration: A Test of Localized Management

Miller, K.V.; Ford, W.M.; Campbell, T.A.
The University of Georgia; D.B. Warnell School of Forest Resources; Athens, GA 30602
Grant 00-35101-9284; $275,000; 4 years

To evaluate the effectiveness of localized management at reducing deer herbivory in regeneration areas, we are investigating the movement ecology and social structure of an overabundant white-tailed deer population. We have had 352 capture events (new, non-target, and recaptured deer) and placed radio transmitters on 153 deer. Data collected upon capture are sex, age, weight, chest girth, tail-fat, and reproductive status. Blood and tissue samples are being acquired to determine genetic relatedness among deer using microsatellite techniques. Because the study population is exceeding nutritional and ecological carrying capacity, survival and recruitment of juveniles has been moderate. Twenty-eight of the 42 mortalities have been juveniles. Poor body condition is likely predisposing juveniles to predation, which has accounted for 56% of the mortalities. We have obtained 14,500 estimated telemetry locations. To determine geographic relatedness among deer, we are generating home ranges and calculating the amount of home range overlap among individuals. We have obtained 7,000 visual observations of marked and unmarked deer, which will further aid in our understanding of the social structure within the population. Female dispersal has been low, thus validating the concepts of localized management. However, we have observed numerous long-distance, short-duration movements of individuals and social groups during the summer. This increases the probability of a colonization event and decreases the probability that localized management will be effective. Deer movements and browsing intensity within forest regeneration areas will be assessed before and after localized management is implemented to determine its effectiveness at ensuring regeneration success, sustaining forest structure, and maintaining