Biogeography: The Effects Of Large Herbivores On Vocation
Geog 345
Biogeography
The Effects of Large Herbivores on Vegetation Introduction In eastern North America large herbivores such as deer and elk are some of the most respected and coveted of all wildlife species that inhabit the landscapes and forests. This is partially due to their size and beauty as well as their unparalleled value to hunters and outdoorsmen, seeking a challenge and a trophy. Although there is no shortage of hunters in the eastern United States, other than humans these large herbivores are not faced with many predators that are capable or preying on them. With very few predators to keep the populations of these large animals in check, their numbers grow very rapidly. With more large herbivores, that have …show more content…
In areas that are not hunted and that have high productivity, densities of 30-50 deer per square km are not uncommon. In Hunted areas however, deer populations generally range from about 15-30 deer per square km, and even this is much higher than it should be (McShea, 2012). Not only is it effective and inexpensive but it is also great for the economy. Between license sales, land leasing, and gear purchases; hunting brings in approximately 25 billion dollars a year (McShea 2012). Currently in the United States there are numerous laws and regulations that go along with hunting that are strictly enforced. Most of them are made with the intentions of maintaining animal populations and not decreasing them. Perhaps, if we reevaluate the deer hunting regulations specifically, with a focus on decreasing deer populations, humans could act as a greater predator and in a way have the same effect that the introduction of wolves have on large herbivores in the …show more content…
J., & McNaughton, S. J. (1998). Ungulate effects on the functional species composition of plant communities: herbivore selectivity and plant tolerance. The Journal of wildlife management, 1165-1183.
Horsley, S. B., Stout, S. L., & DeCalesta, D. S. (2003). White-tailed deer impact on the vegetation dynamics of a northern hardwood forest. Ecological Applications, 13(1), 98-118.
McShea, W. J. (n.d.). Ecology and management of white-tailed deer in a changing world. (2012). New York Academy of Sciences, doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06376.x
Nuttle, T., Yerger, E. H., Stoleson, S. H., & Ristau, T. E. (2011). Legacy of top-down herbivore pressure ricochets back up multiple trophic levels in forest canopies over 30 years. Ecosphere, 2(1), art4.
Roseberry, J. L., & Woolf, A. (1998). Habitat-population density relationships for white-tailed deer in Illinois. Wildlife Society Bulletin,
Biogeography
The Effects of Large Herbivores on Vegetation Introduction In eastern North America large herbivores such as deer and elk are some of the most respected and coveted of all wildlife species that inhabit the landscapes and forests. This is partially due to their size and beauty as well as their unparalleled value to hunters and outdoorsmen, seeking a challenge and a trophy. Although there is no shortage of hunters in the eastern United States, other than humans these large herbivores are not faced with many predators that are capable or preying on them. With very few predators to keep the populations of these large animals in check, their numbers grow very rapidly. With more large herbivores, that have …show more content…
In areas that are not hunted and that have high productivity, densities of 30-50 deer per square km are not uncommon. In Hunted areas however, deer populations generally range from about 15-30 deer per square km, and even this is much higher than it should be (McShea, 2012). Not only is it effective and inexpensive but it is also great for the economy. Between license sales, land leasing, and gear purchases; hunting brings in approximately 25 billion dollars a year (McShea 2012). Currently in the United States there are numerous laws and regulations that go along with hunting that are strictly enforced. Most of them are made with the intentions of maintaining animal populations and not decreasing them. Perhaps, if we reevaluate the deer hunting regulations specifically, with a focus on decreasing deer populations, humans could act as a greater predator and in a way have the same effect that the introduction of wolves have on large herbivores in the …show more content…
J., & McNaughton, S. J. (1998). Ungulate effects on the functional species composition of plant communities: herbivore selectivity and plant tolerance. The Journal of wildlife management, 1165-1183.
Horsley, S. B., Stout, S. L., & DeCalesta, D. S. (2003). White-tailed deer impact on the vegetation dynamics of a northern hardwood forest. Ecological Applications, 13(1), 98-118.
McShea, W. J. (n.d.). Ecology and management of white-tailed deer in a changing world. (2012). New York Academy of Sciences, doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06376.x
Nuttle, T., Yerger, E. H., Stoleson, S. H., & Ristau, T. E. (2011). Legacy of top-down herbivore pressure ricochets back up multiple trophic levels in forest canopies over 30 years. Ecosphere, 2(1), art4.
Roseberry, J. L., & Woolf, A. (1998). Habitat-population density relationships for white-tailed deer in Illinois. Wildlife Society Bulletin,