Overuse of certain habitats on the Zumwalt Prairie by elk and deer has resulted in significantly damage to natural resources.  Excessive browsing, rubbing and trampling can result in greater mortality rates among shrubs and trees, reduce plant diversity, compact soils and increase soil erosion. While the root causes of this problem are not yet clear, action to prevent damage is essential.  Many landowners, including The Nature Conservancy are fencing aspen stands to reduce impacts by elk and deer. Restoring fire to these ecosytems may also stimulate plant growth to mitigate damage done by wild ungulates.

More Information:     

• Effects of browse by cattle, elk, and deer on aspen and shrubs (2011)
• Effectiveness of ungulate exclosures on aspen stands on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2006-9)
• Baseline photo-monitoring of quaking aspen and shrubs in ungulate exclosures on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2005)
• Camp Creek ungulate exclosure monitoring on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2005)
• Monitoring the Efficacy of Ungulate Exclosures on Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2003)