1.01.12 - Silviculture and ungulates
Unit 1.01.12
UNIT NOTICEBOARD
Special Virtual Issue of Ecological Research
The journal Ecological Research has published a special virtual issue: Ecological aspects of management of overabundant deer populations. Please note that these articles are open access until Oct. 9, 2016.
Details at http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/ecology/journal/11284/PSE?detailsPage=press
Palle Madsen, Denmark
Gediminas Brazaitis, Lithuania
Miguel Nuno Bugalho, Portugal
Hayato Iijima, Japan
Aurora Monzón, Portugal
Shuirong Wu, China
About Unit
This Research Group considers the joint management of grazing ungules and forest ecosystems. The Group is identifying cross-cultural, scientifically based principles and solutions for integrated wildlife, forest and landscape management.
State of Knowledge
An issue for many countries is the value of ungulates for hunting and recreation, with hunting leases often exceeding the annualized return from timber harvests. Additionally, there are a number of examples of negative effects of overabundant ungulate populations on forest ecosystems, regeneration and biodiversity. Direct ungulate impact on forest vegetation, regeneration and structure may even lead to cascading effect on forest habitat quality for a great number of species. Further, this may over time lead to reduced adaptability by the forest to climate change as well as the challenges imposed by invasive species as well as native and emerging pests, diseases.