Defining deer overabundance and threats to forest communities: From individual plants to landscape structure

Changes in habitat and reduction in predation and hunting pressure are two primary causes of high-density populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus viginianus) in many areas of eastern North America. Despite increasing recognition of the major effects deer exert on forest communities, deciding when deer are overabundant remains a major challenge to managers charged with conserving native plant communities. In this context, we define overabundance as a condition where deer are causing the local extinction of a native plant species.

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