The research suggests a changing climate could benefit some species while making conditions more difficult for others, but climate is only one factor shaping Michigan’s forests. Because it can take decades for a seedling to reach the canopy, studying seedlings offers a glimpse of what Michigan’s forests may look like in the future. How is climate change affecting Michigan’s forests? How are deer changing the way Michigan forests regenerate? In some areas, 80% to 90% of oak seedlings are browsed, compared with 10% to 20% in others.