Understory Composition and Structure Influences Deer and Turkey Habitat in Southern Pine Stands

Pinus spp. (pine) forests are common throughout the southeastern US, and many of these forests are managed to improve habitat for Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) and Meleagris gallopavo (Wild Turkey). Previous studies have investigated the influence of forest management on deer and turkey habitat, but several aspects of understory vegetation response to management are not well understood. We measured understory composition and structure, overstory basal area, and deer-forage availability at 8 sites in summer 2020. Previous history of dormant-season fire increased grass and decreased vine coverage, but forb and understory tree coverage were not influenced. Vegetation providing visual obstruction for turkey nesting and deer fawning was correlated with increased coverage of semiwoody and woody plants. Forb coverage averaged 14% and was positively correlated with deer nutritional carrying capacity (NCC) using a 14% protein constraint. Conversely, NCC with a 6% protein constraint correlated with shrub and vine coverage. Sunlight available to the understory was most strongly influenced by hardwood overstory and midstory trees. Our results indicate that understory composition strongly influences forage and cover and that pine stands that are not intensively managed generally provided limited resources for deer and turkeys.