Herbivore-exclusion Experiment
In January 2019, 10 active adult burrows were randomly selected as
center points for paired access and tortoise-exclusion plots (1 m × 1
m). These vegetation plots were established during the extended period
of dormancy for both tortoises and plants. Access and exclosure plot
locations were randomly selected by angle degree (0-180) and distance
(3-5 meters) from the mouth of each focal burrow. Each exclosure plot
consisted of a 20-gauge, 1” mesh chicken wire that was 75 cm high and
secured flush with the ground by 1-m long metal stakes. Each access plot
was delineated with four 1-meter metal stakes, but no fencing (Figure
S1). The short height and intermediate mesh size of exclosure plot
fencing allowed other herbivores, both large (e.g. white-tail
deer) and small (e.g. rodents, rabbits), to enter the exclusion
plots while excluding gopher tortoises, which was confirmed with
motion/heat-activated camera traps (Bushnell model 119874C, Overland
Park, KS, USA). We documented gopher tortoises foraging in 9 of the 10
access plots and gopher tortoises represented 85% of all herbivores
observed in access plots. No gopher tortoises were observed inside the
exclosure plots; however, we did observe white-tailed deer and eastern
cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus ) in exclosure plots.