usda forest servicenortheastern area state and private forestry forest health impacts of...

USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryUSDA Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

Forest Health Impacts of Forest Health Impacts of White-tailed Deer OverabundanceWhite-tailed Deer Overabundance

Forest Health Impacts of Forest Health Impacts of White-tailed Deer OverabundanceWhite-tailed Deer Overabundance

Thomas J. Rawinski

USDA Forest Service, Durham, NH([email protected])

Thomas J. Rawinski

USDA Forest Service, Durham, NH([email protected])


Deer…Deer… Vegetation…Vegetation…and and people.people.


OutlineOutlineOutlineOutline

• 1. How we got here 1. How we got here • 2. White-tailed deer biology and 2. White-tailed deer biology and

ecologyecology• 3. Recognizing and understanding 3. Recognizing and understanding

impactsimpacts• 4. Challenges4. Challenges


How we got here…How we got here…How we got here…How we got here…““There is a widespread impulse to blame There is a widespread impulse to blame recent policies and management actions, or recent policies and management actions, or inaction, for the current deer situation, but inaction, for the current deer situation, but the ultimate causes run much deeper and the ultimate causes run much deeper and have been around for a very long time. have been around for a very long time. Profound changes to landscape and to Profound changes to landscape and to interactions among wildlife species brought interactions among wildlife species brought about by humans are responsible for the about by humans are responsible for the current high densities of white-tailed deer current high densities of white-tailed deer and their pervasive effects on the rest of the and their pervasive effects on the rest of the ecosystem.”ecosystem.”

Latham et al. 2005Latham et al. 2005


Deer populations in southern New England, and Deer populations in southern New England, and elsewhere, have increased dramatically in the last elsewhere, have increased dramatically in the last 20 years.20 years.

Deer populations in southern New England, and Deer populations in southern New England, and elsewhere, have increased dramatically in the last elsewhere, have increased dramatically in the last 20 years.20 years. MA & RI Deer Harvest Data: 1977-2006

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

11000

12000

13000

14000

15000

16000

'77 '78 '79 '80 '81 '82 '83 '84 '85 '86 '87 '88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06

Year

To

tal

Harv

est

MA

RI


Aldo Leopold – joined the US Forest Aldo Leopold – joined the US Forest Service in 1909Service in 1909

“The last wolf and lion must be shot.” - “The last wolf and lion must be shot.” - 19201920

Aldo Leopold – joined the US Forest Aldo Leopold – joined the US Forest Service in 1909Service in 1909

“The last wolf and lion must be shot.” - “The last wolf and lion must be shot.” - 19201920


In 1944, Leopold wrote:In 1944, Leopold wrote:In 1944, Leopold wrote:In 1944, Leopold wrote:

““Conservation is a state of health in the Conservation is a state of health in the land. The land consists of soil, water, land. The land consists of soil, water, plants, and animals, but health is more plants, and animals, but health is more than a sufficiency of these components. It than a sufficiency of these components. It is a state of vigorous self-renewal in each is a state of vigorous self-renewal in each of them, and in all collectively. Such of them, and in all collectively. Such collective functioning of interdependent collective functioning of interdependent parts for the maintenance of the whole is parts for the maintenance of the whole is characteristic of an organism. In this characteristic of an organism. In this sense land is an organism, and sense land is an organism, and conservation deals with its functional conservation deals with its functional integrity, or health.”integrity, or health.”

““Conservation is a state of health in the Conservation is a state of health in the land. The land consists of soil, water, land. The land consists of soil, water, plants, and animals, but health is more plants, and animals, but health is more than a sufficiency of these components. It than a sufficiency of these components. It is a state of vigorous self-renewal in each is a state of vigorous self-renewal in each of them, and in all collectively. Such of them, and in all collectively. Such collective functioning of interdependent collective functioning of interdependent parts for the maintenance of the whole is parts for the maintenance of the whole is characteristic of an organism. In this characteristic of an organism. In this sense land is an organism, and sense land is an organism, and conservation deals with its functional conservation deals with its functional integrity, or health.”integrity, or health.”


Carrying capacity & thresholds of tolerance. Carrying capacity & thresholds of tolerance. Carrying capacity & thresholds of tolerance. Carrying capacity & thresholds of tolerance.

Nu

mb

er

of

Nu

mb

er

of

peop

le

peop

le

con

cern

ed

con

cern

ed

Nu

mb

er

of

Nu

mb

er

of

peop

le

peop

le

con

cern

ed

con

cern

ed

Number of deerNumber of deerNumber of deerNumber of deer

Biological Biological diversity diversity carrying carrying capacitycapacity

Biological Biological diversity diversity carrying carrying capacitycapacity

Sustainable Sustainable forestry carrying forestry carrying

capacitycapacity

Sustainable Sustainable forestry carrying forestry carrying

capacitycapacity

CulturCultural al

carryincarrying g

capacitcapacityy

CulturCultural al

carryincarrying g

capacitcapacityy

Biological Biological carrying carrying capacitycapacity

Biological Biological carrying carrying capacitycapacity

Conservation Conservation BiologistsBiologists

Conservation Conservation BiologistsBiologists

Foresters, Foresters, LandownersLandownersForesters, Foresters,

LandownersLandowners

Many CitizensMany CitizensMany CitizensMany Citizens

Desired future Desired future condition?condition?

Desired future Desired future condition?condition?


Socio-ecological SystemSocio-ecological SystemSocio-ecological SystemSocio-ecological System

PeoplePeople

(economic, socio-(economic, socio-cultural, political)cultural, political)

PeoplePeople

(economic, socio-(economic, socio-cultural, political)cultural, political)

PlantsPlantsPlantsPlantsWildlifWildlifee

WildlifWildlifee

Wildlife Wildlife ManagementManagement

Wildlife Wildlife ManagementManagement

Ecosystem Ecosystem ManagemeManageme

ntnt

Ecosystem Ecosystem ManagemeManageme

ntnt Forest Forest ManagemenManagemen

tt

Forest Forest ManagemenManagemen

tt

Plant-Plant-Herbivore Herbivore

RelationshipsRelationships

Plant-Plant-Herbivore Herbivore

RelationshipsRelationships

Bio

dive

rsitB

iod

iversit

yyB

iod

iversit

Bio

dive

rsityy


Deer biology and ecologyDeer biology and ecologyDeer biology and ecologyDeer biology and ecology

• White-tailed deer are adaptable and White-tailed deer are adaptable and prolific animals equipped with keen prolific animals equipped with keen survival instincts.survival instincts.

• Seven deer introduced to Block Island, Seven deer introduced to Block Island, RI in 1967 grew to a herd of 700 deer RI in 1967 grew to a herd of 700 deer by 1994.by 1994.

• Deer are ‘generalist’ herbivores; Deer are ‘generalist’ herbivores; herbivory impacts vary spatially, herbivory impacts vary spatially, temporally, and among plant species, temporally, and among plant species, in relation to the population density of in relation to the population density of the herd.the herd.


Natural predators include bobcat, coyote, and black Natural predators include bobcat, coyote, and black bear.bear.Natural predators include bobcat, coyote, and black Natural predators include bobcat, coyote, and black bear.bear.


Winter mortality can be severe in northern Winter mortality can be severe in northern New England.New England.


In many instances, regulated hunting can control In many instances, regulated hunting can control deer populations.deer populations.In many instances, regulated hunting can control In many instances, regulated hunting can control deer populations.deer populations.


Deer-vehicle collision mortality can surpass hunting Deer-vehicle collision mortality can surpass hunting mortality.mortality.Deer-vehicle collision mortality can surpass hunting Deer-vehicle collision mortality can surpass hunting mortality.mortality.

• CT: 1,967 deer CT: 1,967 deer reported killed by reported killed by autos in 2007; actual autos in 2007; actual number estimated to number estimated to be 11,802.be 11,802.

• CT: hunter harvest CT: hunter harvest was 11,062 in 2007.was 11,062 in 2007.

• In North Kingstown, In North Kingstown, RI, 115 deer reported RI, 115 deer reported killed by autos in killed by autos in 2006; hunters 2006; hunters harvested 57 in that harvested 57 in that town that year.town that year.


Recognizing Impacts: Recognizing Impacts: IIt takes a trained eye to see what’s t takes a trained eye to see what’s missing.missing.

Recognizing Impacts: Recognizing Impacts: IIt takes a trained eye to see what’s t takes a trained eye to see what’s missing.missing.

Profound Profound impacts in this impacts in this

RI forestRI forest

Profound Profound impacts in this impacts in this

RI forestRI forest


Obvious impacts of deer herbivory.Obvious impacts of deer herbivory.Obvious impacts of deer herbivory.Obvious impacts of deer herbivory.

Eastern Red-cedarEastern Red-cedarEastern Red-cedarEastern Red-cedar


Obvious impacts: Suppression of American Obvious impacts: Suppression of American beech, Suffolk County, NYbeech, Suffolk County, NYObvious impacts: Suppression of American Obvious impacts: Suppression of American beech, Suffolk County, NYbeech, Suffolk County, NY

Beech growth within a deer Beech growth within a deer exclosureexclosure

Beech growth within a deer Beech growth within a deer exclosureexclosure


Obvious impacts: browse line on winged Obvious impacts: browse line on winged euonymus, Middlesex County, CTeuonymus, Middlesex County, CT

Obvious impacts: browse line on winged Obvious impacts: browse line on winged euonymus, Middlesex County, CTeuonymus, Middlesex County, CT


Dutchess County, NYDutchess County, NYShrub-sapling layer missing; Japanese stiltgrass Shrub-sapling layer missing; Japanese stiltgrass abundant.abundant.

Dutchess County, NYDutchess County, NYShrub-sapling layer missing; Japanese stiltgrass Shrub-sapling layer missing; Japanese stiltgrass abundant.abundant.


Westchester County, NY:Westchester County, NY:Deer density calculated at 67 per square Deer density calculated at 67 per square mile at this site. Fencing necessary to mile at this site. Fencing necessary to regenerate the forest.regenerate the forest.

Westchester County, NY:Westchester County, NY:Deer density calculated at 67 per square Deer density calculated at 67 per square mile at this site. Fencing necessary to mile at this site. Fencing necessary to regenerate the forest.regenerate the forest.


Suffolk County, NY:Suffolk County, NY:Pennsylvania sedge now dominates the understory. Pennsylvania sedge now dominates the understory. Lowbush blueberry bushes are mostly barren.Lowbush blueberry bushes are mostly barren.

Suffolk County, NY:Suffolk County, NY:Pennsylvania sedge now dominates the understory. Pennsylvania sedge now dominates the understory. Lowbush blueberry bushes are mostly barren.Lowbush blueberry bushes are mostly barren.


Cayuga County, NY:Cayuga County, NY:Ginseng and white trillium all but Ginseng and white trillium all but extirpated. Sugar maple not regenerating. extirpated. Sugar maple not regenerating. Garlic mustard flourishing.Garlic mustard flourishing.

Cayuga County, NY:Cayuga County, NY:Ginseng and white trillium all but Ginseng and white trillium all but extirpated. Sugar maple not regenerating. extirpated. Sugar maple not regenerating. Garlic mustard flourishing.Garlic mustard flourishing.


Suffolk and Ulster Counties, NY:Suffolk and Ulster Counties, NY:Forests are beginning to disintegrate. Hurricanes Forests are beginning to disintegrate. Hurricanes and wildfires will have catastrophic consequences if and wildfires will have catastrophic consequences if deer herds remain large.deer herds remain large.

Suffolk and Ulster Counties, NY:Suffolk and Ulster Counties, NY:Forests are beginning to disintegrate. Hurricanes Forests are beginning to disintegrate. Hurricanes and wildfires will have catastrophic consequences if and wildfires will have catastrophic consequences if deer herds remain large.deer herds remain large.


Some resistant or tolerant Some resistant or tolerant nativenative plant species.plant species.Some resistant or tolerant Some resistant or tolerant nativenative plant species.plant species.• Picea spp.Picea spp.

• Fagus grandifoliaFagus grandifolia• Sassafras albidumSassafras albidum• Acer pensylvanicumAcer pensylvanicum• Prunus serotinaPrunus serotina• Kalmia latifoliaKalmia latifolia• Myrica pemsylvanicaMyrica pemsylvanica• Smilax rotundifoliaSmilax rotundifolia• Dennstaedtia punctilobulaDennstaedtia punctilobula• Ageratina altissimaAgeratina altissima• Veratrum virideVeratrum viride• Symplocarpus foetidusSymplocarpus foetidus• Pyrola spp.Pyrola spp.• Chimaphila spp.Chimaphila spp.• Ranunculus spp.Ranunculus spp.• Carex spp.Carex spp.• Dichanthelium spp.Dichanthelium spp.• Podophyllum peltatumPodophyllum peltatum• Caulophyllum thalictroidesCaulophyllum thalictroides• Asclepias spp.Asclepias spp.• Apocynum spp.Apocynum spp.

Carex squarrosaCarex squarrosaCarex squarrosaCarex squarrosa Podophyllum Podophyllum peltatumpeltatum

Podophyllum Podophyllum peltatumpeltatum

Pyrola Pyrola americanaamericana

Pyrola Pyrola americanaamericana

Sassafras Sassafras albidumalbidum

Sassafras Sassafras albidumalbidum


Some resistant or tolerant Some resistant or tolerant exoticexotic plant species.plant species.Some resistant or tolerant Some resistant or tolerant exoticexotic plant species.plant species.• Robinia pseudoacaciaRobinia pseudoacacia

• Ailanthus altissimaAilanthus altissima• Aralia elataAralia elata• Berberis thunbergiiBerberis thunbergii• Frangula alnusFrangula alnus• Rosa multifloraRosa multiflora• Rubus phoenicolasiusRubus phoenicolasius• Lonicera morrowiiLonicera morrowii• Lonicera japonicaLonicera japonica• Alliaria petiolataAlliaria petiolata• Cynanchum louiseaeCynanchum louiseae• Hesperis matronalisHesperis matronalis• Verbascum thapsusVerbascum thapsus• Scilla sibericaScilla siberica• Centaurea biebersteiniiCentaurea biebersteinii• Arctium spp.Arctium spp.• Microstegium vimineumMicrostegium vimineum• Solanum dulcamaraSolanum dulcamara• Aegopodium podograriaAegopodium podograria• Chelidonium majusChelidonium majus• Cirsium spp.Cirsium spp.

Rhodotypos Rhodotypos scandensscandens

Rhodotypos Rhodotypos scandensscandens

Rosa multifloraRosa multifloraRosa multifloraRosa multiflora

Microstegium Microstegium vimineumvimineum

Microstegium Microstegium vimineumvimineum

Lonicera Lonicera japonicajaponicaLonicera Lonicera japonicajaponica


Detrimental impacts of overabundant Detrimental impacts of overabundant white-tailed deer include:white-tailed deer include:Detrimental impacts of overabundant Detrimental impacts of overabundant white-tailed deer include:white-tailed deer include:

• Loss of biodivesrity, and cascading ecological effects.Loss of biodivesrity, and cascading ecological effects.• Simplified vegetation structure, bringing more Simplified vegetation structure, bringing more

sunlight to the forest floor.sunlight to the forest floor.• Proliferation of deer-resistant native and exotic plant Proliferation of deer-resistant native and exotic plant

species.species.• Tree populations ‘bottle-necked’ at the seedling or Tree populations ‘bottle-necked’ at the seedling or

dwarfed sapling stage.dwarfed sapling stage.• Forestry no longer sustainable, or yielding diminished Forestry no longer sustainable, or yielding diminished

value.value.• Ecosystem function and services compromised. Ecosystem function and services compromised.


Degradation of forest bird habitatDegradation of forest bird habitatDegradation of forest bird habitatDegradation of forest bird habitat

• Indigo Buntings, Indigo Buntings, Hooded Warblers, and Hooded Warblers, and Ovenbirds responded to Ovenbirds responded to increased vegetation in increased vegetation in fenced exclosures in VA.fenced exclosures in VA.

• In PA, intermediate In PA, intermediate canopy-nesting birds canopy-nesting birds were reduced 37% were reduced 37% where deer population where deer population densities were highest.densities were highest.


Many rare plant populations are Many rare plant populations are being decimatedbeing decimatedMany rare plant populations are Many rare plant populations are being decimatedbeing decimated

• A fence protects the globally A fence protects the globally rare New England Blazing-rare New England Blazing-star on Block Island, RI.star on Block Island, RI.

• Woodland sunflower and five Woodland sunflower and five other rarities seriously other rarities seriously threatened by deer at the threatened by deer at the Grills Preserve in Westerly, Grills Preserve in Westerly, RI.RI.


Invasive Plants:Invasive Plants:

Invasive plants are Invasive plants are disproportionately resistant to disproportionately resistant to deer herbivory. deer herbivory.

Deer are one mechanism for Deer are one mechanism for transportation of exotic plants transportation of exotic plants into forests. into forests.

White-tailed deer herbivory can White-tailed deer herbivory can accelerate the invasion of accelerate the invasion of exotic plants.exotic plants.

Native plants can beat many Native plants can beat many invasives if given a level invasives if given a level playing field.playing field.

Invasive Plants:Invasive Plants:

Invasive plants are Invasive plants are disproportionately resistant to disproportionately resistant to deer herbivory. deer herbivory.

Deer are one mechanism for Deer are one mechanism for transportation of exotic plants transportation of exotic plants into forests. into forests.

White-tailed deer herbivory can White-tailed deer herbivory can accelerate the invasion of accelerate the invasion of exotic plants.exotic plants.

Native plants can beat many Native plants can beat many invasives if given a level invasives if given a level playing field.playing field.

Wine RaspberryWine RaspberryWine RaspberryWine Raspberry


Japanese barberry is highly resistant to Japanese barberry is highly resistant to deer herbivory.deer herbivory.Japanese barberry is highly resistant to Japanese barberry is highly resistant to deer herbivory.deer herbivory.


Scituate ReservoirScituate ReservoirScituate ReservoirScituate Reservoir

Deer tracks.Deer tracks. Japanese Stiltgrass.Japanese Stiltgrass.



Regeneration failure.Regeneration failure.Forests are becoming open Forests are becoming open and park-likeand park-like


Scituate ReservoirScituate ReservoirScituate ReservoirScituate Reservoir• Hay-scented Fern dominates much of the Hay-scented Fern dominates much of the

understory.understory.



Pink Lady’s Slipper Pink Lady’s Slipper now scarcenow scarce

Dogbane flowers only Dogbane flowers only within the fire tower fencewithin the fire tower fence


Scituate ReservoirScituate ReservoirScituate ReservoirScituate ReservoirDetailed vegetation studies Detailed vegetation studies have been initiatedhave been initiated


Challenges we faceChallenges we face

• Most people aren’t aware of the seriousness Most people aren’t aware of the seriousness of the problem.of the problem.

• People with diverse viewpoints need to find People with diverse viewpoints need to find common ground.common ground.

• Declining hunter population, and Declining hunter population, and increasing development. increasing development.

• Solutions can be expensive, and need to be Solutions can be expensive, and need to be sustained indefinitely.sustained indefinitely.


““We think we know our We think we know our forests. But in forests. But in

Pennsylvania and many Pennsylvania and many other parts of the other parts of the Northeast, deer Northeast, deer

overabundance has overabundance has changed our forests so changed our forests so

much and for so long that much and for so long that we truly don’t know how we truly don’t know how our forests would look our forests would look

without too many deer.” without too many deer.” (Susan Stout, USDA (Susan Stout, USDA Forest Service 2004)Forest Service 2004)

““We think we know our We think we know our forests. But in forests. But in

Pennsylvania and many Pennsylvania and many other parts of the other parts of the Northeast, deer Northeast, deer

overabundance has overabundance has changed our forests so changed our forests so

much and for so long that much and for so long that we truly don’t know how we truly don’t know how our forests would look our forests would look

without too many deer.” without too many deer.” (Susan Stout, USDA (Susan Stout, USDA Forest Service 2004)Forest Service 2004)


““It doesn’t matter what It doesn’t matter what forest values you want to forest values you want to

preserve or enhance – preserve or enhance – whether deer hunting, whether deer hunting, animal rights, timber, animal rights, timber,

recreation, or ecological recreation, or ecological integrity – deer are having integrity – deer are having dramatic, negative effects dramatic, negative effects on all the values everyone on all the values everyone

holds dear.” (Stephen holds dear.” (Stephen Horsley, USDA Forest Horsley, USDA Forest

Service, 2004)Service, 2004)

““It doesn’t matter what It doesn’t matter what forest values you want to forest values you want to

preserve or enhance – preserve or enhance – whether deer hunting, whether deer hunting, animal rights, timber, animal rights, timber,

recreation, or ecological recreation, or ecological integrity – deer are having integrity – deer are having dramatic, negative effects dramatic, negative effects on all the values everyone on all the values everyone

holds dear.” (Stephen holds dear.” (Stephen Horsley, USDA Forest Horsley, USDA Forest

Service, 2004)Service, 2004)


““Professionals from Professionals from many fields concerned many fields concerned

with ecosystem with ecosystem management will need management will need to get involved in deer to get involved in deer

management. No other management. No other area of wildlife area of wildlife

management will management will require more integrative require more integrative

thinking than that thinking than that involved with crafting involved with crafting

solutions to the dilemma solutions to the dilemma of rising deer numbers of rising deer numbers and declining hunter and declining hunter

numbers.” (Riley et al. numbers.” (Riley et al. 2003) 2003)

““Professionals from Professionals from many fields concerned many fields concerned

with ecosystem with ecosystem management will need management will need to get involved in deer to get involved in deer

management. No other management. No other area of wildlife area of wildlife

management will management will require more integrative require more integrative

thinking than that thinking than that involved with crafting involved with crafting

solutions to the dilemma solutions to the dilemma of rising deer numbers of rising deer numbers and declining hunter and declining hunter

numbers.” (Riley et al. numbers.” (Riley et al. 2003) 2003)


Thank you. Questions?Thank you. Questions?Thank you. Questions?Thank you. Questions?

usda forest servicenortheastern area state and private forestry forest health impacts of...

Documents

private forestry deer

state of health

whitetailed deer biology

ecology whitetailed

rawinski usda forest

current deer situation

private forestry aldo

us forest service