Stop 2 Foresters Trail
White-tailed deer were nearly eradicated from Virginia by 1900. Wildlife biologists have worked to restore populations by implementing protective game laws, restocking animals, and restoring habitat. These efforts have been successful. But have also had unintended consequences.
Large deer populations can have negative impacts on Virginia’s forests. They enjoy browsing oak seedlings and oak stump sprouts. This heavy browse decimates the shrubby understory and prevents seedlings from growing into larger trees, threatening the future of the forest.
Large deer populations also change the species composition of forests. By preferentially browsing desirable oaks, deer unintentionally encourage the growth of less desirable overstory species such as red and striped maples. They also unintentionally encourage nonnative invasives in the understory, since they preferentially eat the native plants they evolved with, while leaving the unfamiliar nonnative species alone. This gives the nonnative invasives resources to grow and spread, and to outcompete the natives.