Damage by wildlife, especially small rodents, to North American Pinuscontorta provenances introduced into Sweden

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Forest Research
• Main Author: Hansson, Lennart
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1985
• Subjects: Northern Sweden
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/x85-189; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/x85-189

In 20 provenance trials with the North American Pinuscontorta Dougl. introduced into Sweden, 6 were severely damaged by voles, especially Microtusagrestis L., 2 by moose (Alcesalces L.), and 2 by roe deer (Capreoluscapreolus L.). Six trials were abandoned earlier partly because of roe deer damage and one as a result of vole damage. Vole damage was severe in northern Sweden and roe deer damage was severe in southern Sweden. Certain provenances were more severely attacked by voles, moose, or roe deer than others. The three mammals did not show any agreement in their selection. Voles damage southern provenances, or those with long growing seasons, more than northern ones. The differences among provenances declined rapidly in situations of increasing total damage. Selection among provenances for resistance to mammalian attacks may be possible if local or regional attack rates are taken into account.