Does diet composition of red deer (Cervus Elaphus) differ between fenced and unfenced areas?

Abstract

Botanical composition of red deer diet was studied in fenced and unfenced areas of a forested region in
Hungary. We collected faeces samples in spring, summer and autumn (n=20 for each area and period).
Analyses were made by microhistological identification of plant epidermis fragments found in the faeces.
Browse species dominated the diet of red deer (40-82%) both, in the fenced and unfenced areas throughout
the vegetation period. Oak species (Quercus spp.) were always the dominant browse species in the diet (11-
53%). The consumption of different shrub species was much lower in the fenced than in unfenced area. But,
supplementary food appeared in a higher proportion in red deer diet in the game preserve than outside.
Generally, maple (Acer spp.), elder (Sambucus nigra), ash (Fraxinus spp.), bramble (Rubus spp.), black
locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), and rose (Rosa spp.) were consumed among
browses. Other forage items as acorn, corn and bark were found in high proportions (0-67%), occasionally.
Grasses and forbs did not exceed 10% of the diet in the most cases. Unfenced area seemed to be more
favourable for red deer than fenced area from a dietary point of view.