Roe deer numbers 'changing woodland ecosystems'

The increasing abundance of roe deer appears to be having an impact on woodlands, a study has suggested.

Researchers found that sites with the highest abundance of the native animals had the lowest shrub layer vegetation cover and a lower number of birds.

It is described as the first study of its kind in the UK to examine the possible impact of just one species of deer on the natural environment.

Details were presented at the British Ecological Society's annual meeting.

A team from Durham University and the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) carried out the study to investigate:

roe deer density and the structure and diversity of vegetation in British woodlands,
abundance and diversity of plants and birds in British woodlands.

• roe deer density and the structure and diversity of vegetation in British woodlands,
• abundance and diversity of plants and birds in British woodlands.

- BBC.co.uk