According to the PGC , a forests health is based on it's ability to regenerate. Since our forested areas have been increasing since 1928,instead of decreasing, the forest had to be pretty healthy despite the claims by the PGC regarding over browsing.
Furthermore,deer are not the only cause for the lack of regeneration in ANF.
Managers are particularly concerned about the
implications of these declines for forest regenera-
tion. In some places, the increased light reaching
the forest floor as a result of the recent defoliations
and crown dieback has resulted in increased
establishment and growth of tree seedlings. Only 8
percent of the stands in the 12,000-acre sample had
adequate tree regeneration, including shade-
tolerant saplings of sufficient health to leave as
part of a new stand. But in many places, the benefi-
ciaries of increased light have been ferns, grasses,
and sedges, and as mortality removes trees that
could provide seed for natural tree regeneration,
the management challenges increase. More than 70
percent of the stands in the 12,000-acre sample had
fern understory stocking in excess of 30 percent,
the level associated with interference with regen-
eration establishment (Marquis and others 1992).
Allegheny National Forest managers commonly
use intensive silvicultural practices-including
herbicides, fencing, aerial fertilization of estab-
lished seedlings, and individual tree seedling
protectors-to overcome the barriers to natural
regeneration. In addition, managers are working
with scientists to identify appropriate management
strategies for declining stands that do not require
regeneration treatments.
species.