Do large-scale forest regenerations offer to deer more atractive fodder than mature forest: A case of burnout forest in Rudy Raciborskie

Abstract

Impact of ungulates on forest communities is determined by food availability and structure of the community. Both food and structure are formed among others by large disturbances i.e. wildfires. The biggest wildfire in Poland occurred in August 1992 in Rudy Raciborskie forest district. The study on food availability on burnt area was carried out in July and August 2004. Phytosociological releves were made on 100 plots on burnt area and 100 in unburnt forest. Comparisons were made between burnt and unburnt area, between burnt and unburnt area in dominating forest types, and on burnt area between areas with natural regeneration and reforested and between areas covered with pine and birch stands. Availability of food is better in unburnt forest than on burnt area and in self−regenerated than in reforested stands. Food availability can not substantiate the view of greater ungulates impact on burnt area