Forest management, climate change, and roe deer: A conceptual model of how silvicultural systems shape habitat, population density, and browsing impacts

Abstract

Management of roe deer in European forests may be challenging due to their impact on tree regeneration and potential negative effects on tree species composition, forest resilience and various ecosystem services including timber production. However, silvicultural practices themselves are key drivers in shaping roe deer habitat and consequently affecting deer population densities and the browsing susceptibility of young trees. Silvicultural interventions shape forest structures such as canopy closure, and thus the light availability and thermal cover at the forest floor. Light availability on the forest floor in turn determines vegetation growth and therefore forage availability and quality, as well as hiding opportunities for roe deer. Additionally, natural disturbances such as bark beetle outbreaks increasingly affect European forests at different spatial scales, influencing the interactions between roe deer and forests, while also underscoring the need for increased forest resilience amid climate change. This review provides an overview of the observed and potential impacts of silviculture and climate change–related disturbances on deer population density and browsing. It systematically assesses the effects of these disturbances on habitat conditions, offers a framework for managers to anticipate potential conflicts, and highlights key research needs for the future. We developed a conceptual model for the dynamics of roe deer populations, habitat use, silvicultural systems and forest structure as well as disturbances under climate change and evaluated the available literature. We expected that different silvicultural systems result in distinctive spatial and temporal patterns in resources and cover, and consequently roe deer densities and browsing susceptibility of young trees. However, the literature review revealed a substantial research gap, as very few studies assessed the impact of various silvicultural practices on roe deer directly. Empirical comparisons of management practices face many methodological challenges, and solid evidence is vital for promoting resilient forest practices — especially as disturbances are linked to climate change phenomena with potentially significant consequences on deer dynamics and browsing patterns.