[MAIPC] Deer- Odocoileus virginianus, ceruus nippon nippon

[Kathryn Peterson- Lambert]

Yes, during April, July, August 2015 (before the winter chill), I was in the Blue Ridge and  Appalachian trail (AT), Peaks of Otter, various areas throughout the AT. The entire forest walking area and paths were covered with Microstegium vimineum, Japanese Stilt grass. These heavily shaded, heavily forested areas are where most of the deer actually spend time -away from more public and heavy pedestrian foot paths. The deer were starving as this Japanese Stilt grass (microstegium vimineum) was not part of the their diet and the annual grass had simply taken over. So, the Odocoileus virginianus, white-tailed deer  were moving out to graze in open areas  that were dangerous for them (hunting, predators, etc.) Microstegium vimineum, an ANNUAL grass  will take over where ever it grows here in N. America as it has NO  biological controls. A heavily forested area is usually the  'safety' place for the Odocoileus virginianus. The areas such as Big Meadow did have many native plants but they were wide-open and thus the deer were forced into open areas during seasonal hunting. Deer can migrate, yes, but they must have food sources to migrate to. There were volunteer people groups to hunt for invasive plants. But, these must be conducted eyarly. The Japanese Stilt grass - Microstegium vimineum is easy to pull- requires no effort and is an annual grass. But, it grows quickly and is rampant in its invasion.  The Sika deer, cervus nippon nipplon that have naturalized in Assateague island are not under any current threat according to reports but the Stilt grass, Microstegium vimineum,  is also native to the Sika deer's point of origin, Japan, (Asia). The Sika deer species are naturalized, possibly even a new sub-species by this point - after several hundreds of years of naturalization and adaptations for food that is available locally. The Microstegium vimineum, Japanese Stilt grass also grows locally in the Tidewater Coastal Plain, and has the same rampant effects - while growing in full sun, even Sylvilagus floridanus, eastern cotton-tail rabbit will not eat it on the Coastal Plain. 

 Kathryn Peterson-Lambert


 Kathryn Peterson-Lambert
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.maipc.org/pipermail/maipc-maipc.org/attachments/20160503/1853b1c6/attachment.htm>