Lynx scent alone reduces deer browsing on young trees.

A study in German forests found that predator scents, especially from lynx, caused red and roe deer to visit sapling plots less and spend less time browsing, which led to reduced damage; researchers say similar but likely weaker effects could occur where predators have long been absent, such as the UK.

The mere smell of predators such as lynx was found to reduce the time deer spent browsing young trees in a field experiment. Researchers applied lynx and wolf urine and scat, cow scent and water as a control across sapling plots in 11 forest locations in south-eastern Germany. Camera traps recorded red and roe deer behaviour and the team monitored browsing damage to the planted saplings. The work is reported alongside discussions about possible lynx reintroduction in parts of Britain to address deer-driven challenges to woodland regeneration. Key findings: - Deer visited and spent less time browsing in plots treated with predator scents, with the strongest response to lynx scent. - Plots with predator scents showed less damage to the planted saplings. - The experiment used lynx and wolf urine and scat, cow scent and water as a control, and relied on camera-trap observations of red and roe deer. - Researchers suggested a stronger response to lynx may reflect their ambush hunting style and greater past exposure of local deer to lynx; wolves were still establishing in the area during the study. - The team said similar effects are expected in places where predators have long been absent, but probably at weaker strength. Summary: The study indicates that predator presence, and even scent alone, can lower browsing pressure on young trees and so could support forest recovery where deer are overabundant. Discussions and assessments about possible lynx reintroductions in parts of Britain are ongoing, with some local support and differing positions from government bodies.