| Natural succession and land management practices have had adverse effects on the sustainability of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) clones and associated resources in some forested ecosystems in the western United States. A contributing factor to the decline of aspen in the West, and specifically in areas of the Black Hills, South Dakota, is the inability of newly regenerated suckers to grow into mature trees to restock a stand due to heavy utilization by ungulate browsers, especially elk (Cervus elaphus L.).; The objectives of this study were to determine if ungulate barriers created from slash debris and hinged trees would provide effective barriers that would decrease browse percentages, and allow aspen suckers to grow above the reach of browsers into mature trees. The treatments were compared to livestock fences consisting of 3-4 strands of barbed-wire, and complete wildlife exclosures constructed from woven wire, 2.1-2.4 meters in height.; The results suggested that the hinge and slash treatment methods can be successful at deterring livestock, deer, and elk from accessing and browsing aspen suckers. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
