Predictions of seedling gain

Likelihood of gains in seedling abundance under scenarios of increased and decreased white-tailed deer abundance

Predicted likelihood of gains in tree seedling abundance in forest inventory subplots throughout the northeastern USA as described by Harris et al. (2025). Points are approximate (i.e., fuzzed and swapped) locations of Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Regeneration Indicator plots. Predictions are at the subplot level, given on a 0-1 scale by tree species or palatability class (low-moderate or high) and seedling height class ("size" and "class"). Predictions are provided under observed ("p_obs") conditions, 50% decreased/increased deer abundance ("p_m50" and "p_p50"), and 50% decreased/increased deer abundance combined with 50% decreased snow depth ("p_m50_snow" and "p_p50_snow"). Percentage change in likelihood between observed conditions and each scenario is also given.

This work was supported by the Northeastern States Research Cooperative through funding made available by the USDA Forest Service.