Abstract:
To measure the effects of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herbivory on seeds, seedlings, and young
saplings of Quercus buckleyi on the eastern Edwards Plateau of central Texas, USA, experimental fenced deer
exclosures were constructed. Acorns or small Q. buckleyi transplants were placed in each exclosure and in each
unfenced control plot. Deer did not significantly affect acorn survival and germination, but did significantly reduce
transplant survival and growth rates. The results support the hypothesis that deer are responsible for the
failure of recruitment into adult size classes in Q. buckleyi populations in this region. Without adult recruitment
of Q. buckleyi, the species composition and possibly even the physiognomy of woodlands on the eastern Edwards
Plateau will change markedly. The results of this experiment also indicate that, although juniper Juniperus
ashei and Q. buckleyi presumably compete for water, light, and nutrients, in the presence of deer junipers
can have a positive effect on seedlings and saplings of Q. buckleyi, a case of facilitation. In the presence of deer
the transplants increased in height significantly more slowly away from juniper saplings than they did beneath
juniper saplings, probably due to the physical protection from browsing that junipers provided to the transplants.