XVI International Botanical Congess

Anthropogenic processes such as deer overload and forest fragmentation have contributed to increasing dominance by Fagus grandifolia and simplication of forest composition and structure. Principal communitytypes found on the site are a Fagus/Carpinus forest and a poor Fagus-Liriodendron-Acer saccharum forest. Contrary to proposals of Stromayer and Warren, under excessive deer browse these communities are unstable, not in alternate steady states. The loss of ecosystem structure and composition is apparently leading to loss of breeding-bird diversity on the site, mechanisms contributing to these losses are discussed. A. rubrum is not increasing, this differs from a widespread trend observed by Abrams. Similar processes are likely occurring throughout the surrounding region.