White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are considered keystone herbivores because they interact with plant communities by altering their distribution and composition and thus affect habitat for other wildlife. Many studies have correlated high deer densities with changing dominance, evenness, and abundance of woody plants, but little research has been conducted in non-forest communities or assessed the impacts of deer herbivory on plant community restoration activities. My study on properties owned by the Lake County Forest Preserve District in suburban Chicago is addressing these gaps in the literature using vegetative exclosures and transect-based herbivory assessment methods in 3 different plant communities. Anticipated benefits include management recommendations intended to improve the balance between deer density and plant community sustainability.
