Forest Management as a Component of Ungulate Management to Avoid Game Damage

Abstract

Forest management system as a component of ungulate pest management. Wild ungulates are an important site factor in forests and landscapes. Impacts of ungulates on forest vegetation and the effect of hunting systems are often investigated and discussed. In contrast, the impact of silvicultural systems on forest damage by ungulates is much less conscious. Therefore, in a long-term research program in Central Europe since the 1990ies two questions were investigated additionally, (i) in which way can forest management systems and landscape structures influence the interactions between ungulates and forest vegetation, and (ii) how can silvicultural practices modify the susceptibility of forests to damage by ungulates. The results showed a strong impact of these factors on the emergence of game damage to forests. Factors that are often underestimated in practice. Recommendations for a coordinated management of different land users to avoid ungulate damage to forest vegetation and to preserve biodiversity were made.