HIGH DENSITIES OF CERVIDAE EFFECT TO FOREST REGENERATION IN MIXED BROADLEAF FOREST IN SOUTH PART OF LITHUANIA

Abstract

The abundance of Cervidae species is increasing in Lithuania as well as in thewhole Baltic region. High densities of forest ruminants: Moose (Alces alces), Reddeer (Cervus elaphus), Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), Fallow deer (Dama dama)and European bison (Bison bonasus) cause a significant damage both to naturalforest regeneration and afforestation. Strong negative impact on forest regenerationlead to increased costs of forest regeneration, formation and maintenance. Thus, thebalance among intensive silviculture and big game management must be found forsustainable use of environment recourses. In our study, we observed the influenceof cervids density increment to natural forest regeneration in mixed broadleafforest, which is located near the Zuvintas strict reserve, and in landscape point ofview connected with other forest arrays by natural migration corridors. We foundthat natural regenerated forest understory is hardly damaged as well as culturalforest plantations. Thus, hunting pressure in our research area is obviously too lowand the current abundance of wild ruminants will not allow the economicallyeffective intensive silviculture. After investigation we found a steady Cervidaeabundance, not exceeding the highest optimal densities. Cervid winter pasturequality is relatively good – economically and browsing very intensively did noteffect ecologically important tree species regeneration in forest understory.However, damage degree to forest regeneration in our observed stands was veryhigh. Natural as well as artificial forest regeneration is rather difficult, thus cerviddensities should be reduced of expensive protection tools should be implemented inforest regeneration stands.