Impacts of Mule Deer Herbivory on Herbaceous Vegetation in the Gothic Area, with Focus on Aquilegia coerulea
Abstract
The impacts of growing deer populations upon biodiversity have caused concern for ecologists since it is speculated that certain species of herbs are targeted and over abundantly browsed. This study investigated deer abundance as well as intensity of deer browsing of herbaceous plants inside and outside the fenced protection of the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. Aquilegia coerulea was used as a focal species since it has been observed to be very highly browsed. It was found that deer are observed more often inside the fence than out. Overall browsing intensity of all plant species in sites inside and outside the fence was not significantly different; however variation between sites in meadows as opposed to aspen forests was significant. Across all study sites, Aquilegia coerulea was on the average browsed 50%. Significant differences were found between Aquilegia plants caged to prevent herbivory and those open to browsing; unprotected plants produced one-third of the normal fruit production of protected plants.
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