Teatown Forest Inventory, Forest Plot Data, Indicator Species Data

Starting in 2019, deer indicator plants and their reproductive status were recorded. An individual is considered a visible aboveground stem, regardless of whether the individual spreads by rhizomes. Reproduction is defined as any evidence the individual produced flower or fruit (including change in morphology). The total number of individuals by species is recorded, as well as the total number of individuals that were reproductive. The number of reproductive individuals cannot exceed the total number of individuals present.
Deer Indicator plants are understory species that have a strong physiological response to browsing pressure. Repeated, heavy browsing results in shortened stature, low or absent reproduction, and reduced abundance. Deer indicator plants respond to changes in browsing pressure more quickly than seedlings because they are shade tolerant. The Indicator Species list is below in Table 3.