[APWG] Interaction of non-native invasive plant removal and deer control

[Marc Imlay]

For the annual conference of the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council at 

Philadelphia, PA, next summer in 2007 I am assisting in a presentation 

on the interaction of non-native invasive plant removal and deer control.
With 

the extirpation of the cougar and wolf predators at most sites and limited 

predation by coyotes, it is essential to have managed hunts to reduce deer
to 

10-20 per square mile. I am soliciting research findings specifically for
areas 

where invasive plants are being removed and deer are not being controlled.
It 

has been suggested by deer managers that certain species of non-native
invasive 

plants, such as Japanese honeysuckle that deer eat, and other non-native
invasive 

plants that deer avoid such as Japanese Stiltgrass, should only be partially


controlled so the deer can not find, or so that the deer avoid the native
plants.   

 

Are there any actual research findings available on the effect on native
plants 

of partial control of specific species of invasive plants, as opposed to no 

control or complete control in areas where deer densities are documented to 

be, say, 30 per square mile or greater? Deer density is often measured in 

various ways such as by noting the presence or absence of greenbrier leaves 

at the browse level as well as by aerial photography. Is there a threshold 

level of deer density below which invasive plant managers do not have to 

be concerned with deer issues?  Cheers

 

Marc Imlay, PhD 

 

Conservation biologist, Anacostia Watershed Society 

(301-699-6204, 301-283-0808 301-442-5657 cell)

Board member of the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, 

Hui o Laka at Kokee State Park, Hawaii 

Vice president of the Maryland Native Plant Society, 

Chair of the Biodiversity and Habitat Stewardship Committee 

for the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club 

 

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