About This Project

The lack of oak regeneration has become a widespread problem in the central hardwood region of the U.S., with most oak woodlands becoming mesic (i.e., more moisture). Oak ecosystems provide many benefits to wildlife in the Midwest by providing habitat and food resources. Fire suppression and white-tailed deer browsing have been indicated as reasons oaks are not regenerating. We have initiated a long-term project examining the effects of these two on oak regeneration and ground flora.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

In the last several decades, oak woodlands have undergone rapid succession to more mesic closed-canopy conditions with a change in overstory composition and a lack of oak regeneration (O.R.) . Several silvicultural techniques have been shown to increase O.R. but few long-term studies have examined prescribed fire and excluding deer on O.R.. Restoring and maintaining oak woodlands benefits wildlife, biodiversity, the economy, and recreation (Yaussy et al. 2008) by providing quality timber for harvesting, habitat for wildlife, increasing biodiversity and recreation opportunities. Our research project, which is in its fifth year, will allow us to examine the long term effects of prescribed fire and deer browsing on woodland composition, oak regeneration, and ground flora diversity.

What is the significance of this project?

Oak woodlands provide many benefits including increased habitat for wildlife, biodiversity, timber harvesting, and recreation. Many species are adapted to, and rely on oak forests for habitat such as wild turkeys, tree squirrels, and many song birds. By increasing wildlife abundance, recreation is enhanced. Because oak woodlands are declining, long term research can insight into best and most effective management practices to restore them. We want to examine the effects of fall and spring burning, but also how deer browsing affects O.R.. This will allow us to take a long term look at three possible reasons why oaks are not replacing the overstory of our woodlands. Oak woodlands are declining quickly and research must be done to look for methods to maintain native landscapes.

What are the goals of the project?

The main goal of this project is to determine if prescribed fire and reduced deer browsing are viable management tools for restoring oak forests. We would also like to determine fire and browsing effects on the ground flora component of oak ecosystems. We suspect periodic burning will decrease competition of woody shrubs and trees with oak seedlings, and increase diversity of the herbaceous flora.