Use of common forest forbs to measure browsing pressure by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman) in Virginia, USA

The effect of browsing by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerm an) on reproductive activity of five understory plant taxa was examined usi ng two deer exclosures in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, USA. Survey s were conducted within and outside of deer exclosures using 250-m(2) strip transects. Uvularia L. spp., Smilacina Desf. spp., Polygonatum Mill. spp., Orchis spectabilis L., and Arisaema triphyllum (L.) Schott were identified and counted, and noted for reproductive activity (presence of flowering an d/or fruiting plants). Smilacina and Uvularia had more plants inside than o utside of exclosures, whereas no significant differences in abundance were recorded for the other taxa. Reproductive activity of all taxa observed was greater inside than outside of exclosures. The survey method was field tes ted by determining the abundance and percent of plants reproductive at 11 s ites along the Blue Ridge. Reproductive activity, for all taxa, was negativ ely correlated with deer abundance. This study demonstrates the potential f or deer herbivory to affect herbaceous plant community composition and indi cates that a measure of reproductive activity in common forest forbs would provide a rapid means to measure the severity of deer browsing on herbaceou s species.