First-year vitality of reforestation plantings in response to herbivore exclusion on reclaimed appalachian surface-mined land

Zachary J. Hackworth; John M. Lhotka; John J. Cox; Christopher D. Barton; Matthew T. Springer

doi:10.3390/f9040222

First-year vitality of reforestation plantings in response to herbivore exclusion on reclaimed appalachian surface-mined land

Zachary J. Hackworth, John M. Lhotka, John J. Cox, Christopher D. Barton, Matthew T. Springer

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

9 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Conventional Appalachian surface-mine reclamation techniques repress natural forest regeneration, and tree plantings are often necessary for reforestation. Reclaimed Appalachian surface mines harbor a suite of mammal herbivores that forage on recently planted seedlings. Anecdotal reports across Appalachia have implicated herbivory in the hindrance and failure of reforestation efforts, yet empirical evaluation of herbivory impacts on planted seedling vitality in this region remains relatively uninitiated. First growing-season survival, height growth, and mammal herbivory damage of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.), and white oak (Quercus alba L.) are presented in response to varying intensities of herbivore exclusion. Seedling survival was generally high, and height growth was positive for all species. The highest herbivory incidence of all tree species was observed in treatments offering no herbivore exclusion. While seedling protectors lowered herbivory incidence compared with no exclusion, full exclusion treatments resulted in the greatest reduction of herbivore damage. Although herbivory from rabbits, small mammals, and domestic animals was observed, cervids (deer and elk) were responsible for 95.8% of all damaged seedlings. This study indicates that cervids forage heavily on planted seedlings during the first growing-season, but exclusion is effective at reducing herbivory.

Original language	English
Article number	222
Journal	Forests
Volume	9
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/f9040222
State	Published - Apr 21 2018

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgments: Support for purchasing and planting of seedlings was provided by the KY Sustainable Forestry Initiative Sustainable Implementation Committee. Partial funding was also provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Treecycler, Arbor Day Foundation, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, and the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center. We thank all of the UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability (RCARS) and Robinson Forest employees who helped with fence construction. We are grateful to J. Frederick, M. Anderson, D. Thomas, Z. Grigsby, W. Dixon, A. Davis, and W. Leuenberger for assistance with field measurements.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 by the author.

Keywords

Black locust
Browse
Elk
Mine reclamation
Rabbit
Shortleaf pine
Small mammal
White oak
White-tailed deer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Forestry

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.3390/f9040222

Cite this

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title = "First-year vitality of reforestation plantings in response to herbivore exclusion on reclaimed appalachian surface-mined land",

abstract = "Conventional Appalachian surface-mine reclamation techniques repress natural forest regeneration, and tree plantings are often necessary for reforestation. Reclaimed Appalachian surface mines harbor a suite of mammal herbivores that forage on recently planted seedlings. Anecdotal reports across Appalachia have implicated herbivory in the hindrance and failure of reforestation efforts, yet empirical evaluation of herbivory impacts on planted seedling vitality in this region remains relatively uninitiated. First growing-season survival, height growth, and mammal herbivory damage of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.), and white oak (Quercus alba L.) are presented in response to varying intensities of herbivore exclusion. Seedling survival was generally high, and height growth was positive for all species. The highest herbivory incidence of all tree species was observed in treatments offering no herbivore exclusion. While seedling protectors lowered herbivory incidence compared with no exclusion, full exclusion treatments resulted in the greatest reduction of herbivore damage. Although herbivory from rabbits, small mammals, and domestic animals was observed, cervids (deer and elk) were responsible for 95.8% of all damaged seedlings. This study indicates that cervids forage heavily on planted seedlings during the first growing-season, but exclusion is effective at reducing herbivory.",

keywords = "Black locust, Browse, Elk, Mine reclamation, Rabbit, Shortleaf pine, Small mammal, White oak, White-tailed deer",

author = "Hackworth, {Zachary J.} and Lhotka, {John M.} and Cox, {John J.} and Barton, {Christopher D.} and Springer, {Matthew T.}",

note = "Funding Information: Acknowledgments: Support for purchasing and planting of seedlings was provided by the KY Sustainable Forestry Initiative Sustainable Implementation Committee. Partial funding was also provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Treecycler, Arbor Day Foundation, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, and the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center. We thank all of the UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability (RCARS) and Robinson Forest employees who helped with fence construction. We are grateful to J. Frederick, M. Anderson, D. Thomas, Z. Grigsby, W. Dixon, A. Davis, and W. Leuenberger for assistance with field measurements. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 by the author.",

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AU - Lhotka, John M.

AU - Cox, John J.

AU - Barton, Christopher D.

AU - Springer, Matthew T.

N1 - Funding Information: Acknowledgments: Support for purchasing and planting of seedlings was provided by the KY Sustainable Forestry Initiative Sustainable Implementation Committee. Partial funding was also provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Treecycler, Arbor Day Foundation, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, and the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center. We thank all of the UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability (RCARS) and Robinson Forest employees who helped with fence construction. We are grateful to J. Frederick, M. Anderson, D. Thomas, Z. Grigsby, W. Dixon, A. Davis, and W. Leuenberger for assistance with field measurements. Publisher Copyright: © 2018 by the author.

PY - 2018/4/21

Y1 - 2018/4/21

N2 - Conventional Appalachian surface-mine reclamation techniques repress natural forest regeneration, and tree plantings are often necessary for reforestation. Reclaimed Appalachian surface mines harbor a suite of mammal herbivores that forage on recently planted seedlings. Anecdotal reports across Appalachia have implicated herbivory in the hindrance and failure of reforestation efforts, yet empirical evaluation of herbivory impacts on planted seedling vitality in this region remains relatively uninitiated. First growing-season survival, height growth, and mammal herbivory damage of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.), and white oak (Quercus alba L.) are presented in response to varying intensities of herbivore exclusion. Seedling survival was generally high, and height growth was positive for all species. The highest herbivory incidence of all tree species was observed in treatments offering no herbivore exclusion. While seedling protectors lowered herbivory incidence compared with no exclusion, full exclusion treatments resulted in the greatest reduction of herbivore damage. Although herbivory from rabbits, small mammals, and domestic animals was observed, cervids (deer and elk) were responsible for 95.8% of all damaged seedlings. This study indicates that cervids forage heavily on planted seedlings during the first growing-season, but exclusion is effective at reducing herbivory.

AB - Conventional Appalachian surface-mine reclamation techniques repress natural forest regeneration, and tree plantings are often necessary for reforestation. Reclaimed Appalachian surface mines harbor a suite of mammal herbivores that forage on recently planted seedlings. Anecdotal reports across Appalachia have implicated herbivory in the hindrance and failure of reforestation efforts, yet empirical evaluation of herbivory impacts on planted seedling vitality in this region remains relatively uninitiated. First growing-season survival, height growth, and mammal herbivory damage of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.), and white oak (Quercus alba L.) are presented in response to varying intensities of herbivore exclusion. Seedling survival was generally high, and height growth was positive for all species. The highest herbivory incidence of all tree species was observed in treatments offering no herbivore exclusion. While seedling protectors lowered herbivory incidence compared with no exclusion, full exclusion treatments resulted in the greatest reduction of herbivore damage. Although herbivory from rabbits, small mammals, and domestic animals was observed, cervids (deer and elk) were responsible for 95.8% of all damaged seedlings. This study indicates that cervids forage heavily on planted seedlings during the first growing-season, but exclusion is effective at reducing herbivory.

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KW - Small mammal

KW - White oak

KW - White-tailed deer

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First-year vitality of reforestation plantings in response to herbivore exclusion on reclaimed appalachian surface-mined land

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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