The Impact of Cervid Herbivory on Industrial Fiber Hemp in East Central Illinois

The last several years have seen large increases in white-tailed deer populations across the United States. Many studies have analyzed the effects that white-tailed deer have on different ecosystems. However, little to no studies have analyzed the effects of white-tailed deer on the production of industrial hemp fiber. In this study, we examined two different varieties of hemp fiber crops, and the impact white-tailed deer may have on their production. Our study was conducted in a flat test plot with surrounding woods and known white-tailed deer traffic in central Illinois, using two (6 × 6 m) plots that were adjacent to each other. One plot had fencing around it to prevent white-tailed deer from accessing the crop, while the adjacent control plot was left open. We observed a much greater height and mass in the northern planted seeds for both the open (control) and enclosed (exclosure) plots compared to the southern plots' height and mass. We also observed the growth of more invasive plants in the exclosure when compared to the control plot.