A deer exclosure is an area, usually of forest floor, surrounded by fencing that keeps deer out, but allows other small animals to enter. There are four exclosures on the property: two on the Ledges Trail and two on the Forest Study Trail.
In the early days of exclosures, the aim often was to keep grazing animals such as cattle or sheep out of an area so that scientists could study the grasslands. Since the late 1940s, exclosures increasingly have been used to keep out animals such as deer and elk.
Exclosures offer a large benefit in scientific studies. Scientists often take an inventory of all the flora and fauna inside an exclosure, as well as in an equivalent unprotected plot outside the exclosure.
Dr. David Byman of Penn State has been doing research on the exclosures at Lacawac since 1996.
To learn about his ongoing research download the article below or watch a video of him discussing his work.
In the early days of exclosures, the aim often was to keep grazing animals such as cattle or sheep out of an area so that scientists could study the grasslands. Since the late 1940s, exclosures increasingly have been used to keep out animals such as deer and elk.
Exclosures offer a large benefit in scientific studies. Scientists often take an inventory of all the flora and fauna inside an exclosure, as well as in an equivalent unprotected plot outside the exclosure.
Dr. David Byman of Penn State has been doing research on the exclosures at Lacawac since 1996.
To learn about his ongoing research download the article below or watch a video of him discussing his work.
| deer_exclosure_article_summer_2015.pdf |
