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ith ty of d form patte orw nature reserves have been established. We show, that within two nature reserves between 1988 and 2003, yew recruitment was strongly dependent on variation in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) browsing pressure. Our study emphasized that establishing nature reserves for yew is not enough to conserve this species unless control over browsing roe deer population is also taken. We argue that roe deer, being the most abundant large herbivore in Europe, may have a larger effect on conservation than currently realized. few studies have considered the effect of grazing and has been related to insect herbivory on seeds (Hulme, 1996). Despite being a highly toxic plant for many spe-cies (Jordan, 1964; Schulte, 1975), including some spe-land) since roe deer were introduced (Hæggstr€om, 1990), browsing reduces yew recruitment, and that yew recruitment therefore should be greater in periods of low roe deer abundance. Only roe deer browse yew, except where there is some moose (Alces alces) browsing in very severe winters (Mysterud and Østbye, 1995). This is in contrast to the Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia), which is browsed frequently by moose Biological Conservation 120 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +47-22-85-40-45; fax: +47-22-85-46-browsing on single and threatened Red-List species, though notable exceptions occur (e.g., Augustine and Frelich, 1998). Yew (Taxus baccata) is a late succes-sional species (Thomas and Polwart, 2003), and in Norway, is an endangered species, and several protected areas have been established to conserve it (Svalastog and Høiland, 1991). Despite this, poor recruitment of yew has been observed in these reserves (Svalastog and Høiland, 1991). Previously, focus on yew regeneration and in Fennoscandia, roe deer browsing has been sug-gested as a factor limiting northward expansion of yew (Stahl, 1988). However, quantification of demographic data on yew under periods of variable browsing pressure are lacking. To assess the role of roe deer browsing, we present data on recruitment of young yew, a key to success for conserving this species, during periods of high and low roe deer density. We test the hypothesis that roe deer 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved