Soil erosion under forest hampers beech growth: Impacts of understory vegetation degradation by sika deer

•Loss of understory vegetation leads to enhanced soil erosion in Japanese beech forests.•Sediment transport exposes beech roots up to 51 cm.•Soil degradation hampers growth of beech trees.•Tree-ring records confirm growth reduction after degradation of understory.•Water limitation due to root exposu...

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