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Browse Damage. Browse damage ranged from 17% to 66% of plants browsed per plot. The <br />most intensive browse damage appeazed in plots 96-1 W, 95-4b, 95-4a, 97-1a, 97-1b, and 97-1c. <br />Four of the eleven plots had more than 50% of the plants damaged by herbivores. Major <br />herbivores observed at the mine aze deer, elk, and rabbits. Deer and elk scat were noted in <br />several plots and rabbits were seen in the plots 97-1a, 97-1b, and 97-1c. <br />Repeated browsing has resulted in a substantial loss of growth. A general observation is that <br />planted shrubs and trees at Seneca exhibit little if any top growth despite being in the ground for <br />up to three yeazs. For example, 1996 heights of serviceberry, chokecherry, and Gambel's oak in <br />site 95-4b were 11.4 cm, 13.0 cm, and 9.1 cm respectively. In 1998, heights in site 954b were <br />12.8 cm, 12.6 cm, and 11.5 cm respectively for these species. This lack of growth is attributed to <br />intensive browse as opposed to plant competition or damage from other sources. Root growth <br />was assessed on the 954a and 95-4b plots. Substantial root growth has occurred despite browse <br />damage. Root growth will not continue, however, under conditions of continuous browse. <br />Repeated browse damage has resulted in substantially lower survival. Even though plants aze <br />able to survive initial transplant shock and begin rooting, removal of tops by browsers both <br />reduces root growth and makes the plant susceptible to disease and plant competition. As <br />previously discussed, browse damage has potentially reduced survival by 50% or greater in plots <br />96-1 and 96-1w. Continued reduction in survival and plant densities can be expected unless <br />substantial efforts are made to reduce the percentage of plants grazed by elk, deer, and rabbits. <br />Table A-3. Estimated browse damage. <br />Site Name Est. Stems /Acre (SD) % Browsed <br />95-4a 1400(324) 45% <br />954-b 785 (383) 66% <br />96-1 607(262) 17% <br />96-2 1740(991) 30% <br />96-IW 1244(472) 66% <br />97-1a 874(32) 59% <br />97-16 842(182) 44% <br />97-Ic (570(279) 52% <br />97-1d 4079(2984) 23% <br />97-2 992(377) 20% <br />97-1W 1344(371) 29% <br />