Assessing Browsing Impact in Beech Forests: The Importance of Tree Responses after Browsing

Browsing by ungulates can affect the development of a forest stand due to selective browsing and shifts in growth ranking between tree species. Assessing impact an objective way is difficult patchily distributed beech forests. In systematically arranged plots near Kirchberg, Switzerland, height increment two saplings nearest plot center (k-tree method) was measured for each class species, within-tree intensity damage frequency were assessed. total, 21 species found. particularly frequent climate-adapted Winter more than summer browsing, which also true deciduous it significantly reduced growth. Former along main stem further upgrowth. shifted ratio favor Fagus sylvatica. Many winter-browsed Abies alba, sylvatica, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fraxinus excelsior Prunus avium had no new leader shoot end next growing season, i.e., long-lasting impact. For estimating impact, thus important assess delays response after browsing. Foresters could easily apply k-tree method autumn effective assessments