Chemical Composition and in Vitro Digestibility of Deer Browse Three Years after a Wildfire

Abstract

Chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of several browse species were ana- lyzed in an attempt to determine the effects of a severe wildfire on the nutritional value of browse to deer. Analysis of variance showed highly significant differences (P < 0.01) between ash, cal- cium, ether extract, and acid-detergent fiber contents of browse from the burned and unburned areas. However, highly significant interactions (P < 0.01) indicate fire effects vary with the species or plant part and season. Ash, calcium, and ether extract percentages were lower in those plants from the burned area and acid-detergent fiber was greater. It is doubtful, though, that at the time of sampling, the differences found were of nutritional significance to the local deer population. An average of 123,703 wildfires per year occurred in the United States between 1970 and 1974 (Rothermel, 1976). To much of the American public, wildfire means the destruction of valuable natural resources, private prop- erty, and sometimes human life. While it is true that wildfires can be very destructive, it now is realized that fire plays a vital role in the natural devel- opment of vegetation in many part of the world (Ahlgren and Ahlgren, 1960; Mutch, 1970) and, hence, in the maintenance of certain wildlife habi- tats.