Wide-area evaluation of deer damage risk to young Sugi plantations of the Kyushu, Japan

Abstract

Due to the increase in the population of sika deer and their expanding distribution, deer browsing is causing serious damage to plantations in many areas. To assess the risk of damage to young conifer plantations caused by the deer on a wide-area, we created deer damage risk map for young Sugi plantations of the Kyushu region based on five field signs (bark stripping marks on mature planted trees, deer fecal pellets, browsing marks on the understory vegetation, deer tracks and trails). The map showed several high impacted areas and front lines of deer expansion. It is better to manage the deer population in these areas to reduce browsing damages in plantations.