Seems strange to me - I guess it depends on the objective(s) of the study. If they are interested in looking at how oak seedlings develop in the exclosure, then by all means clear cut it and plant acorns (assuming there are comparable control sites outside the fence, but if the objective is to compare the natural veg. in the exclosure with similar areas outside the fence then it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Stephen Mills Forest Wildlife Habitat Specialist Ministry of Natural Resources Northeast Science & Information Section Phone: (705) 235-1235 Fax: (705) 235-1251 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Philip Shirk Sent: August 18, 2006 8:20 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Deer browsing A private camp in New York has received a grant from the state to enclose a three acre plot for a deer browsing study. However, the state forester wants them to clear cut the area and plant acorns in that space. A forester connected to the camp is very strongly against that idea and would rather fence in the area and not change anything other than the fence. The grant is in limbo if the two sides cannot reach an agreement. Does anyone have any comments or suggestions as to: 1) How this research is normally done. 2) What the benefit to clearing the area and planting acorns may be (as opposed to leaving it go and fencing it in). 3) Any potential solutions. Thank you all, Philip Shirk
