Long-term effects of rangeland disking on white-tailed deer browse in south Texas

Abstract

Brush is an important component of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Raf.) habitat. We determined the long-term effects of offset disking on canopy cover, density, and diversity of brush species browsed by white-tailed deer. In 1989, we sampled vegetation in untreated strips and strips disked in 1973 in Jim Hogg County, Texas. Strips disked in 1974-1975 were sampled in Duval County, Texas, in 1985. Brush density was used to calculate species richness, evenness, and Shannon's index. In Jim Hogg County, Texas pricklypear (Opuntia lindheimeri Engelm.) density and canopy cover was greater in disked than in untreated strips. Density of other brush species was similar in disked and untreated strips. In Duval County, agarito (Berberis trifoliata Moric.) was the only brush species with lower density on disked (56 plants/ha) than on untreated (222 plants/ha) strips. Brush species richness and diversity were similar in the untreated and disked strips in both study areas. Landowners should consider disking for managing brush if they want to maintain brush diversity and browse for white-tailed deer.