Predator Scent Scares Deer, Aids Forest Recovery

A new study indicates that the scent of predators, specifically lynx, can effectively deter deer from browsing on young trees. Researchers found that deer visited plots treated with lynx and wolf urine and scat less frequently and spent less time damaging saplings compared to control plots. This 'landscape of fear' strategy, driven by the risk of predation, could offer a natural solution to over-browsing.

Conservation efforts are considering the reintroduction of lynx into Britain, where they have been absent for 800 years. This move aims to help control deer populations that hinder woodland regeneration and boost forest ecosystems. While public support for reintroduction in areas like Northumberland is high, concerns about livestock remain. The study's findings suggest that even in areas where predators have been absent for generations, their scent can trigger an innate fear response in deer, with benefits expected to strengthen as predators re-establish themselves.