Mechanisms of deer (Cervidae) impacts on birds: A comprehensive review

Phillips, Grace E.; Cristol, Daniel A.

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110454

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Impacts of high deer populations extend beyond the individual plants and species they consume. Insects, birds (including neotropical migrants), small mammals, nutrient cycling and forest carbon storage capabilities can all be negatively affected (Cotéet al, 2004;Martin et al, 2011;Nuttle et al, 2011Nuttle et al, , 2014Schweitzer et al, 2014;Chips et al, 2015;Mo et al, 2023;Phillips and Cristol, 2024). Introduced plants and earthworms thrive where deer are abundant (Davalos et al, 2015a, b;Gorchov et al, 2021).…”

Section: Environmental Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of the >700 bird species that breed in North America, >50% are Neotropical migrants and thus also fall under federal management authority. Deer strongly influence songbird community structure by thinning ground cover and low shrubs and saplings, reducing foraging habitat quality and insect abundance (Nuttle et al, 2014;Chips et al, 2015;Rushing et al, 2020;Phillips and Cristol, 2024). Dramatic declines in bird and insect abundance have raised alarm (Rosenberg et al, 2019;van Klink et al, 2023).…”

Section: The Need For a National Deer Management Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Where have all the flowers gone? A call for federal leadership in deer management in the United States

Blossey,

Hare,

Waller

2024

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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Forests in the United States continue to lose biodiversity and many fail to regenerate due to high deer (family Cervidae) abundance. Declines in biodiversity and overall ecosystem health due to high deer populations increases prevalence of wildlife and human diseases associated with increasing tick abundances and decreases forest resilience and the ability to deliver benefits provided by healthy ecosystems. In the eastern and midwestern United States, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are the main stressor, while in the western U.S. elk (Cervus elaphus) and black-tailed and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) can become equally problematic. Federal and State Wildlife Agencies are responsible for environmental stewardship and management of deer, migratory and endangered species, yet they lack authority to address human health concerns or commercial interests (we acknowledge tribal authority to manage wildlife as an important contributor to conservation). Furthermore, State Wildlife Agencies have retained their traditional focus to manage wildlife for recreational hunters while neglecting their obligations to manage wildlife in the interest of all citizens rather than special interest groups. Fragmented institutional arrangements and widely scattered responsibilities for human health, environmental conservation and management, agriculture, and commerce among tribal, federal, and state agencies have allowed deer impacts to grow into nationwide conservation and human health crises. Given that local, regional, and state-level initiatives have failed to provide appropriate remedies, federal leadership is now essential to integrate concerns among disciplines, policy domains, regions, habitats, and biota. We recommend developing a National Strategy to build strong collaborative efforts and diverse and inclusive relationships across environmental, human health and economic interests. These should reach beyond state boundaries to comprehensively address interrelated deer, human health, forest, and conservation crises. A well-coordinated and collaborative approach has the potential to overcome traditional turf battles between tribal, state, and federal interests by recognizing joint responsibilities and obligations to manage wildlife as a public trust resource. This collective approach can protect species before they become endangered, avoiding further declines in environmental and human health.

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