European roe deer

Systematic position: The European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) belongs to the order Artiodactyla and the family Cervidae. While it is a wild ungulate, in the context of agronomy and forestry, it is recognized as a significant pest capable of causing substantial economic damage to managed plant communities.

Crops damaged: The roe deer is a polyphagous feeder. It poses a major threat to young fruit tree orchards (apples, pears, cherries) by browsing on buds and shoots. Additionally, it causes damage to forestry saplings, ornamental shrubs, and field crops such as winter cereals, rapeseed, clover, and alfalfa, especially during late winter and early spring.

Biology and life cycle: Roe deer are active throughout the year. Their breeding season occurs in the summer, with fawns born in late spring. As opportunistic feeders, they adapt their movement patterns to food availability. During severe winters, when natural forage is scarce, they congregate in agricultural fields and nurseries, leading to intensified browsing pressure.

Character of damage and harm: The typical damage involves browsing of terminal and lateral shoots, which results in stunted growth and deformed tree crowns. During winter, roe deer often strip bark from young stems, exposing the wood to environmental stress and pathogens, which frequently causes tree mortality. In cereal fields, their trampling and grazing behavior can significantly reduce biomass and yield.

Protection measures: The most effective management strategy is the installation of physical barriers, such as game-proof fencing or agricultural mesh at least 1.8 to 2 meters high. Individual tree protection includes using tree guards or spiral mesh tubes. Other methods include the application of scent-based repellents and acoustic deterrents to keep deer away from high-value planting areas.