Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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PRE-PARTURITION MOVEMENT PATTERNS AND BIRTH SITE CHARACTERISTICS OF MOOSE IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA
Get PDFHabitat used immediately after parturition is important to survival of moose calves, though different habitat types may be functionally similar and thus contribute to the variability in habitat use reported in the literature. Neonates are relatively immobile, which restricts movement of the cow-calf pair and makes both vulnerable to predation. The cow also requires adequate access to forage during the period when calf mobility is limited. We used fine-scale movement data to determine linear distance traveled to the birth site as well as habitat use by cow-calf pairs in northeast Minnesota. All cows made long distance movements (x = 6 km) to the birth site where they localized in 1.72 ± 0.48 ha (95% kernel polygon) for approximately 7 ± 0.7 days. A mosaic of cover types that reflected availability across the landscape were used by the cow prior to localization at the birth site. Birth site areas consisted of one cover type rather than the mosaic used before birth, and varied among cows, though bogs were used most often (40%). The small birth site area and use of bog habitat were likely a consequence of low calf mobility post-parturition. Upon exiting the birth site, cow-calf pairs shifted toward use of mixed and young/regenerating forest which likely reflects the need and use for highly nutritious browse to meet the high energetic cost of lactation
SHIVERING BY CAPTIVE MOOSE INFESTED WITH WINTER TICKS
Get PDFOccurence and rate of shivering were measured to assess thermoregulatory responses of captive moose (Alces alces) infested with winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus). Shivering was observed on 47 occasions in 5 of 8 infested moose calves from October to April; in contrast, 4 moose calves not infested with winter ticks did not shiver under identical weather conditions. Only 5 shivering bouts occurred from October to March, all on a single day. The other 42 shivering bouts occurred in April with bouts lasting 1–103 min. During the April bouts, ambient temperature was 1– 4 °C (42 of 42), maximum wind speed was ≤12 km/h (38 of 42), and it was raining (30 of 42). Shivering was associated with 23–44% hair loss in April, but not during cold weather in mid-winter despite 5–10% hair loss in March. Maintaining stable core body temperature during late winter-early spring could compromise the energetic balance of wild free-ranging moose with extensive hair loss and abundant ticks, in conditions equivalent to or worse than measured in this study
MOOSE STATUS AND MANAGEMENT IN MONTANA
Get PDFMoose (Alces alces) are currently widespread across Montana where regulated moose hunting has occurred since 1872, >140 years ago. The number of annual moose hunting permits has averaged 652 over the past 50 years. The popular permits are allocated via a random drawing, with an annual average of ∼23,000 applicants in 2008–2012 who faced a 1.9% chance of success. Monitoring of moose largely occurs through annual harvest statistics collected via post-season phone surveys. Recent harvest statistics indicate lower hunter success, increased effort, and lower kill per unit effort, concurrent with >50% reduction in available permits since the 1990s. Aerial surveys also show decline in calf:adult ratios. In combination, these data suggest a declining trend in the statewide population, despite some ambiguity of certain data. Potential limiting factors include harvest, predation, vegetative succession and degradation, parasites, and climatic conditions, which were all identified as concerns in surveys of state biologists. Accordingly, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will direct funds derived from moose permit auctions toward calibrating and refining statewide monitoring methods and research of population dynamics and potential limiting factors of Montana moose
EVALUATING THE USEFULNESS OF THREE INDICES FOR ASSESSING WINTER TICK ABUNDANCE IN NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Get PDFIn New Hampshire, winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) probably have more influence on the moose (Alces alces) population than other mortality factors, and predicting the frequency of tick epizootics is an important management consideration. Weather, moose density, and habitat use influence abundance and distribution of winter ticks. We evaluated the usefulness of 3 techniques to index winter tick abundance in 3 regions with variable moose density: 1) flagging for tick larvae, 2) line-transect counts of ticks on harvested moose, and 3) roadside surveys of tick-induced hairloss on moose. Although counts of tick larvae from fall flagging were not significantly different between years or regions, absolute tick abundance was measurably different (>50%) relative to moose density and years. Tick abundance on harvested moose reflected annual and regional differences; in general, abundance was correlated positively with moose density and annual trends within regions were similar. Tick abundance was highest for calves and lowest for cows. Hair-loss surveys indicated that hair loss was generally related to moose density, and similar annual differences were reflected in all regions. We suggest measuring tick abundance on harvested moose and conducting annual roadside hair-loss surveys to create indices and threshold values useful in predicting an epizootic of winter ticks
WINTER DISTRIBUTION OF MOOSE AT LANDSCAPE SCALE IN NORTHEASTERN VERMONT: A GIS ANALYSIS
Get PDFA GIS analysis of landscape scale distribution of moose (Alces alces) in northern Vermont during winter 2010 showed that most moose were located at elevations of 300–600 m, with little discernible elevational gradient. Slope and aspect were not correlated with locations as moose were distributed in the study area with the relative amount in each descriptive class. The distribution of >85% moose based on NOAA cover types was in deciduous, mixedwood, and coniferous stands relative to their availability; locations in scrub/shrub and wetlands were higher and lower than expected, respectively. Higher resolution AIMS imagery indicated that moose used mixedwoods more and coniferous stands less than available. The most significant landscape characteristic influencing the location of moose was proximity to forest openings/timber cuts that presumably provide important seasonal browse
FINE-SCALE TEMPERATURE PATTERNS IN THE SOUTHERN BOREAL FOREST: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE COLD-ADAPTED MOOSE
Get PDFMoose (Alces alces) respond to warm temperatures through both physiological and behavioral mechanisms. Moose can reduce heat load via habitat selection when spatial and temporal variation exists within the thermal environment. We recorded operative temperatures (To) throughout the Kabetogama Peninsula of Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota for 1 year to describe seasonal patterns in the thermal environment available to moose and identify physical and landscape characteristics that affect To in southern boreal forests. Significant predictors of To varied by season and time of day and included vegetation cover type, canopy cover, and slope/aspect. Vegetation cover type influenced To during summer and fall afternoons with additional variation during summer afternoons explained by percent canopy cover. Slope/aspect was the main driver of To during winter and spring afternoons. Slope position was not a significant predictor of temperature, likely because of low topographic relief in our study area. The Tos were significantly warmer in open versus closed habitats during the day with the pattern reversed at night. Our results can be used to test if moose display a behavioral response to To at various spatial and temporal scales
IMPACT OF MOOSE BROWSING ON FOREST REGENERATION IN NORTHEAST VERMONT
Get PDFMoose (Alces alces) play an important role in the ecological and economic resources of northern New England, a landscape dominated by commercial forests. This study measured the impact of moose browsing on forest regeneration in Wildlife Management Unit E1 in northeastern Vermont where moose density was considered high in the 1990–2000s. We surveyed 37 clearcuts categorized into 4 age classes (3–5, 6–10, 11–15, and 16–20 years old). The stocking rate (stems/plot) of commercial species ranged from 74–76% in the 3–5, 6–10, and 11–15 year age classes, increasing to 86% in the 16–20 year age class. The proportion of plots containing a commercial tree without severe damage was above the accepted threshold stocking level of 40–60% in all age classes. The proportion of plots containing a commercial hardwood stem declined with increasing age class; the opposite occurred with softwood stems indicating a possible shift from hardwood- to softwood-dominated stands from selective browsing pressure. Height of 11–20 year old stems was less than in New Hampshire, indicating that growth was possibly suppressed in Vermont due to higher moose density. Overall, browsing was not considered a major problem based upon stocking rates. Further study is warranted to evaluate whether compensatory growth occurs in response to reduced browsing as forests age and/or moose population density declines
VARIATION IN METATARSAL MORPHOLOGY AMONG SUBGROUPS OF NORTH AMERICAN MOOSE (Alces alces)
Get PDFThe objectives of this study were to characterize variation in dimensional data from the metatarsus of 4 different subpopulations of North American moose (Alces alces) that are known to differ in stature, and to determine if specific metatarsal width measurements (proximal, middle, distal) can be used to accurately predict metatarsal length in these subpopulations. We found that subpopulations differ in the dimensions of their metatarsal bones. Alaskan moose (A. a. gigas) are significantly larger in the length and width of the metatarsus than non-Alaskan moose. Moose from Isle Royale have significantly shorter metatarsal bones than the other groups which is associated with a proportional reduction in the middle metatarsal width; the ratio of middle width:length was similar across groups in contrast to the proximal: and distal width:length ratios. These dimensions were not reduced proportionally in Isle Royale specimens as these ratios were greater in the Isle Royale moose than in other groups. Predictive equations for estimating metatarsal length from each of the 3 width measurements were developed. The length could be predicted accurately from each of the width measurements if separate predictive equations were developed for specimens collected from Isle Royale versus the other subgroups. These data indicate that considerable variation exists in the dimensions of a single bone, the metatarsus, in subgroups of the same species. Valid predictive equations developed using data sets from one subgroup may not provide accurate predictions when applied to other subgroups of the same species
DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF TERRESTRIAL GASTROPODS IN VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK, MN: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE RISK OF MOOSE BECOMING INFECTED WITH PARELAPHOSTRONGYLUS TENUIS
Get PDFVoyageurs National Park (VNP) has a stable population of about 40–50 moose (Alces alces). Recent declines in moose abundance in adjacent areas in northern Minnesota raise concerns about the long-term viability of moose in VNP. The parasitic nematode Parelaphostrongylus tenuis has been documented in moose in VNP and has been implicated in moose declines in other populations. Terrestrial gastropods are the intermediate hosts for P. tenuis, and describing spatial and temporal differences in their abundance should increase understanding about the risk of P. tenuis infection for VNP moose at the individual and population levels. We used cardboard sheets to estimate species composition and abundance of terrestrial gastropods in representative vegetation communities in VNP. We collected a total of 6,595 gastropods representing 25 species, 22 terrestrial snails and 3 slugs; 8 are known vectors of P. tenuis, including the slug Deroceras laeve, the most common species found. Gastropods were more abundant in September than July, and in upland forests (maximum = 555 gastropods/m2) more than in wetter lowlands (20 gastropods/m2). We used location data from GPS collared moose in VNP to estimate the relative exposure of moose to gastropods that could be infected with P. tenuis larvae. The boreal hardwood forest and northern spruce-fir forest ecotypes had the highest use by moose and high abundance of P. tenuis vectors in summer, and may pose the greatest risk for infection. Habitat use and the related risk of ingesting gastropod vectors varied by individual moose. Our method can be extended in moose range to estimate the relative risk of P. tenuis infection