Changes in herbivore populations may also have substantial effects on forest growth and composition, especially in regard to northern-white cedar.

Submitted by Maria on

Changes in snowfall amount and duration throughout the assessment area may change the wintertime foraging behavior for herbivores such as moose, white-tailed deer, and snowshoe hare. Moose are expected to be negatively affected by numerous changes in the future, including heat stress and increased parasitism from winter ticks. In contrast, deer may benefit in many parts of the region as warmer winter temperatures and reduced snow depth increase access to winter forage. Where deer populations expand into areas currently dominated by moose, deer may spread the brainworm parasite, which does not affect deer but causes mortality in moose. Expanded deer herbivory could affect recruitment of northern white-cedar, especially where snowpack and winter severity are reduced.