Deer affect forest community composition via browsing and indirect effects on the abiotic environment

November 17, 2025 @ 12:15 pm to 01:15 pm

Autumn Sabo, Penn State University, Beaver Campus

108 Wartik Laboratory
University Park

Co-sponsored by the Plant Institute

Abstract:
Deer are considered the most serious threat to forests of eastern North America by many ecologists. In addition to direct browsing damage, deer change the species composition and structure of forest understories, and levels of abiotic resources important for plant growth. Vegetation alterations have cascading effects on other taxa including insects and birds.

My research, conducted in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, explores the direct and indirect effects of deer. I have found that deer herbivory often has dramatic impacts on the forest, e.g., reduced sapling, shrub and widlflower density. However, the strength of these responses varies thoughout the landscape and differences can not be explained soley by deer abundance. In some areas, light or soil nutrient availability, mediated by deer or independent of deer, may be limiting understory plants.

About the Speaker:
Autumn Sabo is an Assistant Professor in the 4-year Biology Program at Penn State Beaver, 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. Her research interests include plant community ecology, silviculture, conservation and restoration ecology. Her Ph.D. in Forestry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison focused on how deer affect the forest understory. For her M.S. in Natural Resource Science and Management from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Autumn studied how different levels of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and species richness affected the phenology and nitrogen dynamics of prairie plants. While getting her B.S. in Biology at Penn State UP, she researched root turnover and volatile compounds emitted by plants in response to herbivory. In addition to her academic experience, Autumn has worked in government conducting rare plant surveys and forest inventories, providing technical assistance about invasive plants, and developing and delivering environmental education programs.

Contact

Cameron Cedeno
cjc315@psu.edu