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The role of ungulates in nowadays temperate forests. A response to Fløjgaard et al. ( DOI :10.1111/gcb.14029)
Author(s) -
Boulanger Vincent,
Dupouey JeanLuc,
Archaux Frédéric,
Badeau Vincent,
Baltzinger Christophe,
Chevalier Richard,
Corcket Emmanuel,
Dumas Yann,
Forgeard Françoise,
Mårell Anders,
Montpied Pierre,
Paillet Yoan,
Saïd Sonia,
Ulrich Erwin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
global change biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.146
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1365-2486
pISSN - 1354-1013
DOI - 10.1111/gcb.14122
Subject(s) - species richness , ecology , understory , exclosure , ecosystem engineer , temperate forest , forest ecology , ecosystem , geography , temperate rainforest , ungulate , habitat , grazing , biology , canopy
In Boulanger et al. (2018), we investigated the effects of ungulates on forest plant diversity. By suggesting a revisit of our conclusions regarding ecosystem dynamics since the late Pleistocene, Fløjgaard et al. (2018) came to the conclusion that moderate grazing in forest should be a conservation target. Since major points of our paper were mis‐ or over‐ interpreted, we put the record straight on our study system and on the scope of our conclusions. Finally, we advocate for an assessment of the conservation issues of ungulates in forests not only regarding hypothetical and still debated states of past ecosystems but also considering timely challenges for forest ecosystems.