Ungulate damage and silviculture in the Cansiglio Forest (Veneto Prealps, NE Italy)

The Cansiglio Forest, situated in the Veneto Prealps, is of particular interest, going back to the times of the Most Serene Republic of Venice. Its long silvicultural tradition, which is now even more "near to nature". remains unaltered. Pver the last century there has been a considerable increase of the number of Ungulates. This is partly due to prohibition of hunting since the beginning of the 20th century troughout the territory. It has therefore become necessary to survey forest regeneration, to ascertain whwther the deer pressure hampers silvicultural goals and also to investigate which factors are most involved. A review of Forest management plans over the last 30 years identified the areas in which regeneration is present, where transects werw subsequently sampled. Inside every transect, all saplings (over 50 cm) were measured for diameter and height and monitored for degree and type of damage (browsing, debarking, fraying). Using the CART statistical method, the following key factors werw singled out: species, proving that fir is the most frequently selected sapling; silvicultural system, clarifying that the regeneration of uneven-aged stands is more subject to damage; aspect, locating more damage in the southern and eastern areas, probably because they are more often frequented by deers. High densities of deer endager fir survival, reduce biodiversity, and affect forest economy, limiting silvicultural choices, so that culling ungulate populations semms to be necessary.