Managing the Abundance and Diversity of Breeding Bird Populations through Manipulation of Deer Populations

摘要: Abstract: Deer densities in forests of eastern North America are thought to have significant effects on the abundance and diversity forest birds through role deer play structuring understories. We tested ability affect bird populations by monitoring density vegetation for 9 years at eight 4-ha sites northern Virginia, four which were fenced exclude deer. Both understory woody plants increased following exclosure. The numerical response shrubs exclosure was significantly predicted soil quality (ratio organic carbon nitrogen) sites. Bird as a whole deer, particularly ground intermediate canopy species. did not increase however, primarily because replacement species proceeded successional processes. Changes accounted most variability seen populations. Populations protected areas capable causing shifts composition communities. These can be reversed increasing vegetation, brought about reducing density.