Ungulate browsing causes species loss in deciduous forests independent of community dynamics and silvicultural management in Central and Southeastern Europe

摘要: Grid-based inventories of 1,924 deciduous forests plots in Germa- ny and 4,775 Romania were used to investigate tree species composition as affected by browsing grazing under different forest management (ro- tation forestry, selectively cut forest, protected forest). At regional scale, the loss dominant layer was between 52 67% 10 30% Romania, with largest effects nature re- serves Germany. plot level, only 50% (Germany) 54% (Romania) canopy found regeneration a height 1.5 m. Browsing influenced proportion Fagus regenerating trees Germany, stand density, basal area, both regions. Structural equation modeling explained 11 26% variance based on fresh terminal bud winter prior inventory work (one season browsing). (and Romania) is shown be significant cause across countries all types. Potential cascading other or- ganisms ecosystems are discussed. We conclude that present hunting practices support overabundant ungulate populations constitute major threat biodiversity Germany places similar management, changes my possible modernizing legal framework hunting. Keywords forest; age-class unmanaged fo- rest; roe deer; diversity; regeneration, community dyna- mics, forest.