Effects of white-tailed deer herbivory on upland plant communities in the Piedmont of South Carolina

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is an important game species and the largest native herbivore in South Carolina. Intense deer herbivory can result in browse lines, reduced regeneration of tree species, and the extirpation of plant species. The impact of white-tailed deer has been studied throughout much of its northern range, but there has been little long-term research into the impact of deer on forests communities in the Southeast. This study measures impacts of deer herbivory 13 years after clearcutting upland hardwood stands in the Clemson Experimental Forest by comparing forest and plant communities inside and outside exclosures. An initial study conducted in 2005, 1 year after the clearcut, concluded that deer density had no impact on these communities. To determine the long-term impacts of herbivory, the plots were resurveyed 13 years later. Regeneration of seedling, sapling and overstory oaks was unimpacted by deer herbivory (p=.61, p=.58, p=.45). In fact, the plots outside the exclosures had a higher population of 4in DBH oaks compared to the plots inside enclosures (p=0.09). There was significantly higher plant species richness outside the exclosures compared to inside (p=0.08). Shannon’s diversity index was not statistically different between treatments (p\u3e0.1). Both treatments had a similar number of invasive species (p=0.81). Exclosures had 5,000 more Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) per acre compared to outside the exclosure. There was significantly higher vine regeneration inside the exclosures (

Response to continuing 4-H youth development in SC during a pandemic: The SC 4-H@Home program

State mandates imposed by governors during COVID-19 affected extracurricular activities for children and youth. To continue providing 4-H programming during quarantine, Clemson Extension 4-H Youth Development Agents created the SC 4-H@Home program. Daily activities were developed that could be completed at-home using common household items and were delivered via email to registered participants. A survey was conducted at the conclusion of the program that included open- and closed-ended questions to gauge the effectiveness of the program. Results indicate that, overall, the SC 4-H@Home program was beneficial to youth and contributed to their education during the COVID-19 crisis

Extension Forestry Programming in South Carolina: Preferred Topics and Delivery Method

Forest health, forest management and economics, harvest planning and marketing, and tax were the major educational needs among the forest landowners. Results of this study provide Extension foresters and professionals relevant information to design educational program delivery techniques for family forest landowners in South Carolina

A Key for Aging White-tailed Deer Using Tooth Replacement and Wear Technique

Management of white-tailed deer is important to maintain the health of deer herds and to protect their habitats from the effects of overpopulation. Knowing the age of deer is imperative to maintain a balance of deer and their habitat. This paper provides a summary of how to age deer in the field using tooth replacement and wear technique. A key for aging deer using this technique is presented to serve as a quick reference guide in the field

Economic Implications of Wildlife Considerations in Timber Management

Family forest landowners have various objectives for owning and managing property, requiring different cost inputs and potential timber revenue losses. This article provides a framework to estimate the economic tradeoffs, also referred to as opportunity cost, of managing loblolly pine plantations for timber production versus a management regime that also promotes wildlife habitat. Hunting lease revenue associated with managing a forest property for wildlife benefits and its potential to offset lost timber revenue will also be presented

Extension Forestry Programming in South Carolina: Preferred Topics and Delivery Methods

Forest health, forest management and economics, harvest planning and marketing, and tax were the major educational needs among the forest landowners. Results of this study provide Extension foresters and professionals relevant information to design educational program delivery techniques for family forest landowners in South Carolina

Effects of white-tailed deer herbivory on upland hardwood plant communities in the Piedmont of South Carolina

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is an important game species and the largest native herbivore in South Carolina. Deer populations have rapidly rebounded in the last 50 years resulting in browse lines, reduced regeneration of overstory tree species, and in some circumstances, extirpation of preferred deer browse species. The impact of white-tailed deer has been studied throughout much of its northern range, but there has been little long-term research into the impact of deer on forests and plant communities in the Southeast. This study measures impacts of deer herbivory 13 years after clearcutting six upland hardwood stands in the Clemson Experimental Forest by comparing plant communities inside and outside exclosures. An initial study conducted 1 year after the clearcut concluded that deer herbivory had no impact on the plant communities. To determine the long-term impacts of herbivory, the plots were surveyed 13 years later. The survey determined that there was significantly greater plant species richness outside the exclosures compared to inside (pp\u3e0.1). Both treatments had a similar number of invasive species (p\u3e0.1). There was significantly higher vine regeneration inside the exclosures (pLonicera japonica) was reduced outside of the exclosures (p 10cm DBH compared to the plots inside exclosures (