The Effect of the European Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) on the High-Elevation Vernal Flora in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract

BRATTON, S. P. (Ecology & Systematics, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY 14850). The effect of the European wild boar (Sus scrofa) on the high-elevation vernal flora in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 101: 198-206. 1974.-The European wild boar (Sus scrofa), an exotic species, is severely damaging the vernal flora of hardwood forests in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Since the hogs entered the Park during the 1940's, their range has continually expanded and now includes about half the total area of the Park. Quadrat sampling of both disturbed and undisturbed sites in Gray Beech Forest indicates that hog rooting can reduce the cover of the herbaceous understory to less than 5% of its expected value. Over 50 non-woody species are known to be eaten, uprooted or trampled by hogs. The damaged wild flowers include such species as Claytonia virginica, Dicentra cucullarica, Lilium superbum, Phacelia fimbriata, Stellaria pubera and Trillium erectum. Disturbed species exhibit changes in population structure including a reduction in the percentage of mature and flowering individuals and reduction in clump size. Changes in species composition in disturbed plots favor plants with deep or poisonous roots. Local extinctions of the most sensitive species may be expected as rooting continues.