The particular vulnerability of easterly or plain
areas is shown, as noted above, even in the case of low
growing stocks (pathway I), and is mainly attributable
to the high density of deer in most of the sampled
areas, fitting these requirements. The frequent visits of
deer to these areas, ascertained by observation, are not
necessarily explainable only on the basis of site factors,
i.e., auto-ecological characteristics of the species,
but various elements, including ethological factors, are
probably responsible. It should be noted that one wide,
flat area, where much severe damage was found, is
particularly close to meadows and quiet locations, because
it has been turned into a reserve and is therefore
less subject to anthropogenic disturbance.