Journal
PLANT ECOLOGY
Volume 213, Issue 6, Pages 1037-1047Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s11258-012-0063-z
Keywords
Chaparral; Mediterranean-type ecosystem; Exotic herbivores; Deer browsing; Post-fire resprouts; Shrub mortality; Vegetation-type conversion; Water potential; Xylem cavitation; Turgor loss point
Categories
Funding
- National Science Foundation (NSF-REU) via Pepperdine University [0452587]
- SURB
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences via the MARC U*STAR [5T34GM069349-05]
- National Science Foundation
- Andrew Mellon Foundation
- National Science Foundation (IOS) [0845125]
- Research Council of the University at CSUB
- Direct For Biological Sciences
- Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems [0845125] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
- Direct For Biological Sciences
- Div Of Biological Infrastructure [1062721] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
- Div Of Biological Infrastructure
- Direct For Biological Sciences [0452587] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Browsing by exotic mule deer on Santa Catalina Island (SCI) off the coast of southern California may diminish the post-fire resilience of native shrublands. To assess this, deer exclosures were established following a wildfire to monitor post-fire recovery of three dominant, native shrub species (Heteromeles arbutifolia, Rhus integrifolia, and Rhamnus pirifolia). Post-fire resprout growth, mortality, and tissue water status as well as pre- and post-fire shrub density and cover were measured inside and outside of deer exclosures. We found that deer browsing significantly limited post-fire resprout growth and led to increased mortality of resprouting H. arbutifolia shrubs (88 % mortality outside compared to 11 % inside exclosures). Post-fire resprouts maintained favorable water status during the study despite drought conditions, indicating that water stress was not a proximate cause of resprout mortality. Deer browsing resulted in a > 93 % reduction in canopy coverage of dominant shrub species. The dramatic reduction of native shrubs at this site may create opportunities for displacement by exotic species, resulting in eventual vegetation-type conversion. The observed link between intense browsing and post-fire shrub mortality provides much needed information concerning the environmental impact of exotic deer on SCI and illustrates the interaction between exotic herbivores and fire on an island system.
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