The impacts of deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herbivory on forest regeneration were determined in clearcut, thinned, and uncut Pennsylvania hardwood forest plots stocked at different deer densities. In all cutting treatments the vegetation was shorter and less diverse in plots exposed to the highest deer density (80 deer / 259 ha) five years after cutting treatments were applied and deer were introduced. In clearcut and thinned areas, increasing the deer density decreased the height of seedlings and woody stems, and decreased the density of sensitive seedlings surviving to greater size classes. The author used the results of this study and previous research to determine that a density of 18 deer per 259 ha (the current goal of the Pennsylvania Game and Fish Department) was the greatest deer density that these plots could support while maintaining the density and diversity of herbaceous and woody species that are valuable for industry and wildlife in this area.
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