4. The Impacts of Deer Overabundance in Kingston Forest Ecosystems and Surrounding Areas

Abstract

White-tailed deer are generalists who can adapt to a wide variety of habitats from temperate forests to the open prairies. As a keystone species, they play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community (Rawinski, 2008). Despite record harvests in recent years, deer populations are at all-time highs around the Kingston region. Foraging deer consume or destroy the seedlings of highly preferred species, reducing plant diversity and on occasion, creating near monocultures. The objective is to analyze the impacts of white-tailed deer overabundance on vegetation within an urban forest ecosystem around Kingston, Ontario. This involves evaluating past, present, and future mitigation efforts in order to remediate the areas affected by overgrazing to ensure long term environmental sustainability. Critical to our evaluation on white-tailed deer in Kingston forest communities, we will be examining the ecosystems trophic relationships in the area including herbivory and selection pressures. Why have deer become so numerous? How are they affecting forest ecosystems? And why should landowners, forest managers, and the general public be concerned? After evaluating the current situation, we aim to propose a viable solution that will address the primary concerns highlighted above. In conclusion of our research we hope to restore the vegetative community and biodiversity of our local forests to their original state.