Impact of Large Mamalian Herbivory on the Plant Community

Effective management of white-tailed deer (odocoileus virginianus) is highly dependent upon knowledge of the food habits and resources available seasonally to local populations. The study investigates the feeding habits of white-tailed deer on a forest-grassland site on Blossom Point Proving Grounds in the coastal plain of Maryland. Specifically, the study is designed to identify the plant groups most important to deer in terms of utilization and availability, and to determine the importance of woody browse to deer during the winter.