Context-dependent effects of deer on aboveground carbon stocks in the regenerative tree layer in temperate and boreal forests: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Herbivores, including deer (Cervidae), influence ecosystem functions and carbon cycling by affecting vegetation structure and composition. Given the increase in deer populations in Europe and North America, there is growing interest in their impact on carbon dynamics in temperate and boreal forests. We investigated the effects of deer on carbon stored in the seedling and sapling layer through two mechanisms: (1) deer affecting the overall aboveground woody biomass in these strata and (2) deer changing the composition of tree species in these strata, because species differ in wood density and carbon content. We performed a meta-analysis of 17 datasets from 12 cases, assessing the effects of deer exclusion on aboveground carbon stocks within the seedling and sapling layer (

Keywords

Deer; Herbivory; Carbon stocks; Forest; Wood density; Meta-analysis

Published in

Global Ecology and Conservation
2025, volume: 64, article number: e03961
Publisher: ELSEVIER

SLU Authors

• Cromsigt, Joris

  • Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Nelson Mandela University
  • Utrecht University

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03961

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/144968