Story: Southern beech forest

Beech forest protects steep mountain slopes from erosion, and helps regulate water flow in river catchments during storms. Introduced browsing mammals such as red deer and possums are a major threat to beech forests, as they kill mature trees, eat out understorey plants and prevent beeches from regenerating on open ground. Most of these forests on steep land are in public ownership. They are used and enjoyed by trampers and deer hunters.