EFFECTS OF ROOT PLOWING ON WHITE-TAILED DEER CONDITION, POPULATION STATUS, AND DIET

Determining the effects of plant community changes on animal populatio ns is an important area of ecological research. We compared condition, population characteristics, and diet composition of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 2 root-plowed (low brush diversity) and 2 untreated (high brush diversity) sites in the eastern Rio Grande Pl ains of Texas to test the hypothesis that root plowing, which decrease s woody species diversity, reduced deer habitat quality. We collected 8 adult female white-tailed deer from each site every 3 months for 6 s ampling periods. We assessed condition from several physiological, rep roductive, and digestive indices and determined food habits by microhi stological analysis of rumen samples. We estimated population size fro m helicopter surveys. There were no differences (P > 0.1) between high - and low-diversity sites in deer density, fawn production, age, mass, reproductive characteristics, ruminal nitrogen and neutral detergent fiber, and fat, blood, and urine indices. There was a fecal nitrogen t reatment by season interaction (P < 0.05). Blood, urine, fat, digestiv e, and ovarian indices varied seasonally (P < 0.05). Four nitrogen ind ices provided conflicting information on population protein status. Th erefore, data on diet composition were necessary for index interpretat ion. Percent browse in the diet was greater (P < 0.10) in untreated si tes. Browse, forb, and grass use varied seasonally (P < 0.05). Yearly differences in precipitation were associated with changes in body cond ition, reproduction, and diet. Nutritional condition and population st atus of white-tailed deer were similar in untreated sites and sites ro ot plowed 17 years earlier. In treated sites, the greater abundance of forbs and huisache (Acacia smallii) mast offset the effects of decrea ses in browse diversity on deer biology. We recommend further work on the effects of brush management on wildlife communities.