Experimental evidence that deer browsing reduces habitat suitability for breeding common nightingales Luscinia megarhynchos
-
Published source details
Holt C.A., Fuller R.J. & Dolman P.M. (2010) Experimental evidence that deer browsing reduces habitat suitability for breeding common nightingales Luscinia megarhynchos. Ibis, 152, 335-346.
Published source details Holt C.A., Fuller R.J. & Dolman P.M. (2010) Experimental evidence that deer browsing reduces habitat suitability for breeding common nightingales Luscinia megarhynchos. Ibis, 152, 335-346.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
|
Reduce adverse habitat alterations by excluding problematic terrestrial species Action Link |
 |
-
Reduce adverse habitat alterations by excluding problematic terrestrial species
A replicated and controlled paired study in southeast England (Holt et al. 2010) found a significantly higher density of common nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos territories (monitored in 2000-8) in a coppiced woodland from which deer were excluded between 1999 and 2003, compared to control plots protected by an easily-breached brushwood fence (0.60 territories/ha in eight exclusion plots vs. 0.04 territories/ha in eight controls). The proportion of territories in exclusion plots also increased, from 0% in 2000 to 70-80% in 2005-7. A total of 48 territories were mapped. Native roe deer Capreolus capreolus and introduced fallow deer Dama dama and Revves’ muntjac Muntiacus reevesi were excluded by erecting 1.8 m steel fences. The authors argue that differences are due to the area of optimal-age coppice (3-8 year old) within plots.
)_2023.JPG)
