For several years, oaks in the Northeast were prolific acorn
producers. The 2010 crop was record-breaking—many will recall
getting hit with acorn rain or slipping on acorns underfoot.
This fall, however, acorns were scarce. While this sounds like
good news for the accident-prone, it has ramifications for
wildlife and human health. Squirrels aren't the only animals
that depend on acorns for their winter larders. The calorie-rich
nuts are a staple for an array of forest animals, from chipmunks
and mice to deer and black bears. With acorns at the lowest
level seen in 20 years, we can expect more collisions with deer
as they leave the forest in search of food. Bears will be more
apt to raid our garbage cans. And, as Cary Institute's Richard
Ostfeld recently discussed in the New York Times, spring of 2012
will be one of the worst years for Lyme disease in the
Northeast. That's because, this winter, in the absence of
acorns, mouse populations will crash. Ostfeld predicts declines
could be as steep as 90%. And come