Some wildlife species may change the nature of the habitats they rely upon. For example, white-tailed deer browsing in our Paint Creek Prairie appears to have an adverse effect on the native forbs such as butterfly-weed, flowering spurge, Culver’s root and Wild Lupine.  The reduction in these species will in turn have a negative impact on butterfly populations.

To explore the effects deer have upon the prairie, two deer exclosures were constructed. The exclosure is made of 4 foot high fencing designed to keep deer out of the exclosure. When vegetation within the exclosure is compared to that outside the exclosure, the effects of their browsing may be seen. The effects of deer browsing may begin to be obvious as soon as one season after the establishment of the exclosure.