Impact of deer browsing on natural and artificial regeneration in floodplain forest

Deer are an important limiting factor for the growth of broadleaved trees in the forests of temperate zones. Their influence on vegetation was extensively studied in various forest types; however, data from floodplain forest is missing. The aim of this study was to confirm following hypothesis: The regeneration of the young tree stands in floodplain forest under high deer density is impossible without intensive protection by forestry management. Our hypothesis was confirmed only partially. Thanks to high production, the floodplain forest ecosystem is able to compensate for the lost biomass, so the browsing does not prevent the growth Of natural tree regeneration. On the other hand, trees from artificial plantations are much more attractive for deer, their browsing is much more intensive, mainly during winter and regeneration is not possible without fencing.