The threats to the coastal oak-hickory forest are many and varied: displacement of the community by commercial and residential development; invasive species; roads and trails causing forest fragmentation and erosion; and deer browse. Some of the invasive species that have been observed in the forest include Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), Black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia), bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora). Deer browse on seedlings and saplings are causing a loss of forest canopy regeneration.

To promote a dynamic forest mosaic, allow natural processes, including gap formation from blowdowns and tree mortality, as well as, in-place decomposition of fallen coarse woody debris and standing snags, to operate, particularly in mature and old growth examples (Spies and Turner 1999). Management efforts should focus on the control or local eradication of invasive exotic plants and the reduction of white-tailed deer densities. Consider deer exclosures or population management, particularly if studies confirm that canopy species recruitment is being affected by heavy browse. Generally, management should focus on activities that help maintain regeneration of the species associated with this community. Deer have been shown to have negative effects on forest understories (Miller et al. 1992, Augustine and French 1998, Knight 2003) and management efforts should strive to ensure that tree and shrub seedlings are not so heavily browsed that they cannot replace overstory trees. If active forestry must occur, use silvicultural techniques and extended rotation intervals that promote regeneration of a diversity of canopy, subcanopy and shrub species over time (Busby et al. 2009) while avoiding or minimizing both short-term and persistent residual disturbances such as soil compaction, loss of canopy cover due to logging road construction, and the unintended introduction of invasive plants.

Fragmentation of coastal forests should be avoided. It is also important to maintain connectivity with adjacent natural communities, not only to allow nutrient flow and seed dispersal, but to allow animals to move between them seasonally. Strive to minimize fragmentation of large forest blocks by focusing development on forest edges, minimizing the width of roads and road corridors extending into forests, and designing cluster developments that minimize the spatial extent of the development. Development projects with the least impact on large forests and all the plants and animals living within these forests are those built on brownfields or other previously developed land. These projects have the added benefit of matching sustainable development practices (for example, see: The President's Council on Sustainable Development 1999 final report, US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification process at http://www.usgbc.org/). A cross-section of coastal oak-hickory forest occurrences should be protected, including the largest ones, the most mature ones, and the ones in the best landscape block.

Survey for additional large examples in central to western Suffolk County. Some leads to follow up on include Caleb Smith State Park, Wildwood State Park, and Butler-Huntington Preserve among others.

A critical assessment of the long-term effects of heavy deer browse on this community, particularly addressing oak and other canopy species seedling recruitment, is needed.

Black-edge Sedge (Carex nigromarginata) Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) Slender Pinweed (Lechea tenuifolia) Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum var. venosum) Bushy Rockrose (Crocanthemum dumosum) Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) White-m Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)

Small White Snakeroot (Ageratina aromatica var. aromatica) Dwarf Hawthorn (Crataegus uniflora) White Milkweed (Asclepias variegata) Globose Flatsedge (Cyperus echinatus) Scotch Lovage (Ligusticum scothicum ssp. scothicum) St. Andrew's Cross (Hypericum hypericoides ssp. multicaule)