What localized ecological issue results from excessively dense suburban white-tail populations exceeding carrying capacities?
Answer
Intense browsing that eliminates desirable, palatable understory seedlings.
When white-tailed deer populations in suburban or fragmented habitats reach densities that surpass the local environment's carrying capacity, significant ecological consequences manifest. While these dense populations may also lead to an increase in vehicle collisions, the direct impact on vegetation is severe overbrowsing. This intensive consumption pressure targets sensitive understory vegetation, often eliminating the seedlings and palatable species that form the lower layers of the plant ecosystem. This selective removal alters the entire structure of the local plant community, favoring less desirable or inedible species.
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