An overpopulation of deer has far reaching effects. These are in addition to the adverse effects on the deer, other wildlife and the environment. Both plants and animals are important to ecosystems. Decreased plant populations lead to loss of plant and animal species and a gross alteration of native plant communities. These communities provide food for many animals, prevent erosion and control evaporation rate of water.
Plants are the foundation of the ecosystem's food chain.
When this foundation begins to crumble, all other levels of the food chain and other species of wildlife including insects, birds and mammals are affected. Too many deer threaten the health of native ecosystems. The endangered Golden Cheeked Warbler nests on the Lake Georgetown Project. Overpopulation of deer threatens the regeneration of Ashe Juniper in which these birds use for nesting material. The destruction of the hardwood seedlings in the area by deer affects the Golden Cheeked Warblers future food source, as well as that of many others.