Methods
Deer damage surveys were programmed in order to
concentrate them in areas where regeneration is expected
and only where it is required by silvicultural
practices. To identify a priori these areas, the field
phase was preceded by research in forest exploitation,
by means of management plan data covering the last
30 years. Screening followed various criteria, one for
even-aged and another for uneven-aged stands. For
even-aged compartments, 30% standing crop felling
during the considered timeframe was deemed to set the
sufficient and necessary conditions to trigger natural
regeneration. For uneven-aged compartments, fellings
of any entity were considered.
In the year 2000, 18 transects were sampled (10 m
wide, variable length) inside the stands where regeneration
was expected (about 60% of compartments). The
first point of every transect was randomly established,
and the main axis kept the slope direction. Within sampled
areas, all saplings higher than 50 cm (unprotected
by snow mantle during winter) and with diameters
smaller than 12 cm b.d.h. (at 130 cm) were recorded.
Damaged saplings were classified according to type of
damage (browsing, debarking, fraying).
To classify browsing damage, a qualitative ordinal
scale was created, making a distinction between
conifers and broad-leaved trees.