Effects of forest ungulates on plant species richness

Comparison of plant species richness and cover in the presence (outside exclosures) and absence (inside exclosures) of ungulates have been assessed in 1995, 2000 and 2005 on a french network of 100 fenced exclosures. Total plant species richness has been found higher in the presence of wild ungulates. The richness of woody plants was on the contrary lower. These impacts seem to be related to the initial browsing pressure.