Effect of Deer Browsing and Clear-Cutting of Trees on Soil Erosion in a Forest Ecosystem in Japan

Soil erosion is an emerging concern threatening sustainability of forest ecosystems. In case of Japan, one of the driving forces of accelerating soil erosion is heavy deer browsing and trampling. To investigate the effect of deer and clear-cutting on soil erosion, we set up three experimental plots at a slope (24°–27°) of a forest ecosystem with high density of deer, i.e., the fenced plot [F], the non-fenced plot [NF], and the fenced + clear-cut plot [F + C]. The amounts of eroded soil, surface runoff, and loss of nutrients were measured in each experimental plot for 1 year. The amount of eroded soils were in the order of F (1.81 t ha−1 yr−1) 93%) was derived from the loss of soil particles. In conclusion, we should conserve the forest ecosystems through preventing soil erosion because heavy deer browsing and trampling and clear-cutting of trees would lead to the accelerated soil erosion and loss of nutrients.