Red Deer Influence on Natural Grasslands

Abstract

Red deer  ( Cervus elaphus L. )  populations, depending on their density can dramatically affect vegetation in their living areas using hay meadows, farmland tree plantation and orchards, leading to a financial deficit for the farmers. We quantified grazing intake in natural vegetation fields that were bordered by forest and had been used as hay meadows. Grazing cages had been placed in three separate locations in Valea Mare hunting range from Bistriţa-Năsăud during 30 May - 15 July period. Sampling took place shortly before the hay meadows were mowed with the purpose of quantifying the Red deer intake. Red deer grazing resulted in the loss of a percentage between 11,6% and 12,6% of the total production.