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