Uncovering the different scales in deer-forest interactions

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Forestry
• Wildlife Biology

Background:

• Deer are keystone species influencing ecosystem dynamics.
• Traditional studies often analyze deer-forest interactions at a single scale, neglecting multiscale responses.
• Forests are complex systems responding to multiple environmental factors simultaneously.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the multiscale effects of wild deer browsing on temperate and boreal forests.
• To synthesize existing research on deer population density, forest spatial characteristics, temporal scales, and trophic interactions.
• To propose a technological framework for future multiscale deer-forest interaction research.

Main Methods:

• Literature synthesis of seminal papers addressing deer-forest interactions.
• Analysis of deer effects across different population densities, forest spatial characteristics, and temporal scales.
• Exploration of hierarchical effects considering other trophic levels.

Main Results:

• Strongest deer-forest interactions observed at population density extremes (low/high) and with mixed species assemblages.
• Forests on poor soils exhibit restricted growth, isolation, and chronic browsing under deer pressure.
• Incomplete trophic levels amplify deer browsing impacts on lower trophic levels.

Conclusions:

• Deer-forest interactions are complex and scale-dependent, with significant effects at ecological extremes.
• Integrating advanced technologies (drones, sensors) with traditional field methods is essential for comprehensive multiscale research.
• A multiscale approach is vital for understanding and managing deer impacts on forest ecosystems.