Forest soil degradation in slopes of the low mountain range of Central Europe - Do deer matter?

The study area is located in the low mountain range of Central Europe (Eife l) and characterized by a, marked relief and high game densities. Especiall y red deer populations, calculated at 20 ind./100 ha, surpass the carrying capacity of the forests observed. Trampling (by red deer and moufflon) and, rooting (wild boar) result in extensive soil disturbances, visible as soil profile mixture and soil erosion. We examined eight oak forests (Quercus p etraea) located on slopes ranging from 24 to 34 degrees. Four sites are exp osed to the southwest (windward) and four sites are exposed to the northeas t (leeward), each containing two sites with disturbed and two with undistur bed soils. The content of macronutrients (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+), pH-value and Al3 + content as well as biotic soil properties such as abundance of soil, meso fauna. (Collembola, Oribatei) were mainly affected by exposition with highe r values (lower values for Al3+) at leeward sites. In contrast, organic car bon (C-org) and nitrogen (N-t) of the upper soil depended exclusively on so il disturbance (ANOVA) with lower contents in disturbed soils. Microbial ac tivity and biomass as well as PO43--P and NO3--N contents were significantl y influenced by both factors. We found lower values at disturbed windward s ites. The results clearly demonstrate the impact of game on soil degradatio n especially at windward sites.