Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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IMPROVING MOOSE POPULATION ESTIMATES IN RUSSIA: ACCOUNTING FOR DISTANCE BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND TRACK SIGHTINGS
Get PDFMoose (Alces alces) population density in the Kirov region of Russia is often overestimated when using the relationship between the distance between a residential area and the initial sighting of moose tracks. This paper presents a modified approach to provide better estimates when using this techinique. Statistically valid density estimation techniques, standardization of estimation points and routes, landscape characteristics, and time have been addressed in the new approach. Moose density is estimated once annually based on the distance to the first track, and annual surveys should maintain a like protocol. This improved method will provide more accurate population density estimates critical to prevent regional overharvest of moose
SPACE USE AND MOVEMENTS OF MOOSE IN MASSACHUSETTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION OF LARGE MAMMALS IN A FRAGMENTED ENVIRONMENT
Get PDFMoose (Alces alces) have recently re-occupied a portion of their range in the temperate deciduous forest of the northeastern United States after a >200 year absence. In southern New England, moose encounter different forest types, more human development, and higher temperatures than in other parts of their geographic range in North America. We analyzed seasonal minimum convex polygon home ranges, utilization distributions, movement rates, and home range composition of GPS-collared moose in Massachusetts. Seasonal home range sizes were not different for males and females and were within the range reported for low latitudes elsewhere in North America. Seasonal movement patterns reflected the seasonal changes in metabolic rate and the influence of the species’ reproductive cycle and weather. Home ranges consisted almost entirely of forested habitat, included large amounts of conservation land, and had lower road densities as compared to the landscape as a whole, indicating that human development may be a limiting factor for moose in the region. The size and configuration of home ranges, seasonal movement patterns, and use relative to human development have implications for conservation of moose and other wide-ranging species in more highly developed portions of their ranges
CADMIUM GEOCHEMISTRY OF SOILS AND WILLOW IN A METAMORPHIC BEDROCK TERRAIN AND ITS POSSIBLE RELATION TO MOOSE HEALTH, SEWARD PENINSULA, ALASKA
Get PDFThe regional geochemistry of soil and willow over Paleozoic metamorphic rocks in the Seward Peninsula, Alaska is potentially high in cadmium (Cd), and willow, a preferred browse of moose, bioaccumulates Cd. Local moose show clinical signs of tooth wear and breakage and have been declining in population for unknown reasons. Willow leaves (all variants of Salix pulchra) and A-, B-, and C-horizon soils were sampled near 2 mining prospects suspected to be high in Cd. Although Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn were examined, our focus in this exploratory study was on the level of Cd in the 3 soil horizons and willow between and within the 2 prospects and their vicinity. We used an unbalanced, one-way, hierarchical analysis of variance (ANOVA) to investigate the geochemistry of soils and willow at various distance scales across the 2 prospect areas that were separated by ~80 km; sites within a location were approximately 0.5 km apart and replicate samples were separated by ~0.05 km. Cd concentration was significantly different in willow between and within sites, and within sites for all soil horizons. Specifically, this exploratory study identified highly elevated levels of Cd in willow growing over Paleozoic bedrock in the Seward Peninsula at both prospects and over the Paleozoic geologic unit in general. Potential negative effects for moose are discussed
INTEGRATING THERMAL CONSTRAINTS INTO HABITAT SUITABILITY FOR MOOSE IN THE ADIRONDACK STATE PARK, NEW YORK
Get PDF Moose (Alces alces) survive cold winter temperatures due to their large body size, thick skin, and dense, dark pelage. These same characteristics impede heat dissipation under thermal conditions often encountered in spring-fall. While thermal cover has long been recognized as an important component of moose habitat suitability, it has not been explicitly incorporated into published models. We integrated the biophysical construct of operative temperature, Te, into an existing Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model for moose in the Adirondack State Park (ASP) of New York. Te is a thermal index that incorporates the effects of radiative and convective heat transfer on air temperature. We modeled air temperature with respect to elevation and calculated solar radiation transmitted through the canopy as a function of topography, location, forest cover-type, and time of year. We classified 1028, 25 km2 evaluation units for thermal suitability based on a modified upper critical threshold for Te derived from published studies. Compared to a published model for ASP, our HSI better classified moose observations in low, moderate, and high suitability categories, especially during April. We discuss the complexities of modeling thermal suitability for moose
OPINIONS ABOUT MOOSE AND MOOSE MANAGEMENT AT THE SOUTHERN EXTENT OF MOOSE RANGE IN CONNECTICUT
Get PDFIncreasing moose (Alces alces populations in the northeastern United States present new challenges for wildlife managers who must balance beneficial and adverse aspects of moose populations. It is important that managers understand stakeholder attitudes and values about moose and incorporate such into outreach and management programs. The objective of this research was to assess landowner and hunter perceptions about status, management, and concerns associated with a small moose population in Connecticut. The majority of landowners and hunters correctly believed that <100 moose existed in Connecticut, half believed that the population was increasing but had no opinion about appropriate size, and few had ever observed a moose in Connecticut or been involved in a moose-vehicle accident (MVA). Landowner support for viewing areas was high and moose hunting low unless MVAs increased; support for hunting moose was high among hunters. If human-moose conflicts increase, principally MVAs, we expect reduced public support for the resident moose population. Proactive education and management are suggested to reduce human-moose conflicts, MVAs, and increase acceptance of hunting as a possible population management tool
MOOSE ANTLER MORPHOLOGY AND ASYMMETRY ON ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK
Get PDFIsle Royale National Park, an island archipelago in Lake Superior, supports moose at higher density (1–4/km2) relative to most other North American sites. We compared antler size and asymmetry measurements from Isle Royale moose that died of natural causes to measurements available for other regional moose populations in published literature. We used these comparisons to test predictions that antlers of Isle Royale moose would be smaller and more asymmetric than other regional populations due to the high population density and the resulting ecological conditions on Isle Royale. Moose on Isle Royale follow the same patterns of antler development as elsewhere, reaching maximum size at 7–8 years of age with slight declines after age 10–12. However, these moose develop antlers that are much smaller than all measured North American subpopulations. Antler size was most comparable to moose from Scandinavia where moose exist at comparably high population density. Boone and Crockett score, which is commonly used to compare antler size, performed poorly at ranking individuals with large antlers suggesting that more biologically relevant measures such as antler volume should be considered for comparisons of antler size. Pedicle constriction was found to be a reliable indicator of senescence among old bulls. Antler asymmetry was negatively related to antler size and was more extreme than asymmetry measured in Alaskan moose. Moose age had no detectable effect on the degree of antler asymmetry. In general, bull moose on Isle Royale develop smaller, more asymmetric antlers than other North American subpopulations which exist at lower density, consistent with the hypothesis that these qualities are related to nutrient limitation caused by high population density. Results, however, may also reflect genetic differences and artifacts of sampling
USING A DOUBLE-COUNT AERIAL SURVEY TO ESTIMATE MOOSE ABUNDANCE IN MAINE
Get PDFManagement goals and objectives for moose (Alces alces) in Maine are centered on providing hunting and wildlife viewing opportunity. Robust population estimates of moose are critical to assure that harvest rates are appropriate and biologically sustainable while also addressing values of other user groups. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife most recently used the relationship between moose sightings by deer hunters and moose abundance to produce density indices within Wildlife Management Districts (WMD). Due to the marked decline of deer hunters in much of northern Maine that invalidates use of this technique, we tested a double-count aerial survey method to estimate moose abundance in 9 northern WMDs. Density estimates ranged from 0.4–4.0 moose/km2, sightability was high (>70%) for all size moose groups (1–≥3 moose), and moose were well distributed across the landscape in early winter. The density estimates tracked closely with trends in moose sighting rate by moose hunters, harvest level, and hunter success rate in the survey area, and were consistent with jurisdictions in eastern Canada that also have low levels of predation and a preponderance of younger-aged forests. The double-count aerial survey is considered the preferred method to estimate population density, whereas hunter sighting indices would be most useful to track temporal population changes within a WMD
MASS, MORPHOLOGY, AND GROWTH RATES OF MOOSE IN NORTH DAKOTA
Get PDFThis paper provides predictive formulas to estimate live weights of moose (Alces alces andersoni) from hunter-harvested animals and evaluate growth rates of moose in North Dakota, and reviews weight-related measurements among moose populations. From 1978–1990, morphometric data were collected on 224 hunter-killed moose harvested after the rut (10 November–12 December) in North Dakota. Body mass increased rapidly for both sexes from 0.5 years to 1.5 years-of-age. Whole weight and total body length reached an asymptote for both sexes by 5.5 years; mean whole weight appeared to decline among older individuals. Although field dressed weight was the best predictor of whole weight (r2 = 0.93; n = 154), total body length provided reasonably good estimates of whole weight (r2 = 0.76; n = 153). Whole weight estimates based upon shoulder height (r2 = 0.33; n = 158) and hind-foot length (r2 = 0.46; n = 163) were less reliable. We also used morphometric variables to predict field dressed weight, carcass weight, and visceral weight. Field dressed weight was the best predictor of antler width (r2 = 0.72; n = 108) and antler width was a good predictor of male age (r2 = 0.70; n = 119). When compared to other North American populations, average weights of moose harvested in North Dakota tended to be higher in all age classes. Additionally, the calf-to-yearling growth rate of female moose in North Dakota was as high, or higher than in other populations. Morphometric comparisons of free-ranging moose from various North American populations had much size overlap, with southern and eastern moose populations tending to have largest average adult body mass. Sexual dimorphism of mature North Dakota moose (> 4.5 years) was comparable to that in other populations
DIURNAL DEFECATION RATE OF MOOSE IN SOUTHWEST FINLAND
Get PDFAn accurate measure of defecation rate is essential for application of pellet group counts in moose (Alces alces) population estimates. We measured the wintertime, diurnal defecation rate of moose by tracking 7 GPS-collared and 22 uncollared moose in southwest Finland. The mean defecation rate was 23.5 ± 4.2 pellet groups/d, one of the highest values reported. The mean defecation rate did not differ between the tracking methods (GPS vs. uncollared moose); limited sample size precluded conclusions about sex and age differences. The defecation rate was not correlated with calendar week, length of accumulation period, or number of diurnal beds. Our results are appropriate for use in southwest Finland when using the pellet group method to assess moose population density
WILD ANIMAL RESEARCH – NEW LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
Get PDFThe European Union agreed on a directive (DIR) for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes in 2010 which was implemented by member states at the onset of 2013. The DIR applies to animals used for science or education that are subjected to pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm equivalent to, or higher than that caused by a needle. The DIR changes the legal framework for wild animal research and requires educational and training standards of staff involved in capturing, planning, or performing research. Both wild animals studied in or taken from the wild into captivity are covered by the DIR. An animal welfare body must be established that includes a scientific member and at least one person responsible for animal welfare, and they must receive input from a designated veterinarian. The DIR will aid and improve wild animal research because standards of animal welfare and research ethics must be met. Although similar standards for moose research were employed previously in Scandinavia, future moose research and conservation will likewise benefit