exclosures

An exclosure is a clearly defined fenced or fenced-off area established to exclude particular animals from a given place, most commonly large herbivores such as deer, cattle, or grazing livestock. Exclosures are used in ecology and land management to prevent browsing or grazing and to isolate the effects of herbivory on vegetation and soil processes.

In ecological research, exclosures allow scientists to compare areas with and without grazing pressure, revealing how herbivory influences plant species composition, biomass, regeneration, and nutrient cycling. In restoration and conservation, exclosures protect young trees, shrubs, and sensitive vegetation during recovery or reforestation projects. In managed landscapes, they can be used to adjust grazing intensity by controlling which segments are accessible to livestock.

Typical exclosures vary in size from a few square meters to several hectares and may be temporary or long-term. They are usually enclosed with fencing made to deter the target species, such as wire mesh, posts, and gates; electric fences are sometimes employed. Some exclosures include access points for researchers and instruments for monitoring vegetation and soil conditions.

Limitations of exclosures include artificial microclimates at the boundaries, edge effects, and altered animal movement patterns that can influence nearby ecosystems. Short-term results may not reflect long-term dynamics, and exclosures may require maintenance and monitoring to prevent breaches and to account for non-target herbivory or abiotic factors.