Natural History Wanderings

The BBC reported on the problem of the growing Roe Deer population English woodlands. Woodland areas with the largest Roe deer populations have the lowest shrub vegetation levels and lower numbers of birds. The deer eat saplings, damage bark, and change the composition of woodland understory.

Roe Deer are native to the UK. Around 1700 the species were considered locally extinct which was likely due to overhunting. In the 18th century they were reintroduced and grew in both numbers and range. The Lynx which is their main predator no longer exists in England. As the number of deer has increased it has been necessary for humans to control the population. Even though 350,000 are culled each year and another 74,000 die in road accidents the population is still increasing and creating both habitat destruction and problems for agriculture. Ecologists warn that if further actions to control the Roe Deer population are not taken the damage to woodlands will likely increase.

Learn more at: BBC News – Roe deer numbers ‘changing woodland ecosystems’