Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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TEMPORAL ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND REPRODUCTIVE STATUS OF MOOSE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Get PDFBiological data collected from harvested moose (Alces alces) were analyzed to assess whether temporal change has occurred in the physical and reproductive condition of moose from 1988–2009 in New Hampshire. Measurements included age and field-dressed body weight of both sexes, number of corpora lutea (CL) and ovulation rate of females, and antler beam diameter (ABD) and antler spread of males. Similar data were obtained from Maine and Vermont for comparative analysis. The only significant changes (P <0.05) occurred in the yearling age class: mean body weight of both sexes, number of CL, and ABD all declined in New Hampshire. The current ovulation rate (~20%) and mean body weight (<200 kg) of yearling females in New Hampshire and Vermont were considered low. The declines measured in yearlings, yet relative stability in adults, are consistent with the presumption that winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) impact the productivity of moose populations through reduced calf survival and growth and fecundity of yearlings. Density-dependent factors related to habitat change are also discussed given the recent, rapid expansion of moose in the 3 states. Continued monitoring of physical parameters and productivity of harvested moose, particularly the yearling cohort, is warranted to better assess the relationships among winter ticks, habitat quality, and moose populations
MOOSE HABITAT USE THROUGHOUT GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK
Get PDFPrevious research indicated high variability in availability and habitat use by female moose in the lowlands of Gros Morne National Park (GMNP), Newfoundland and Labrador, an area dominated by bogs and forest. Here, we extend the earlier analysis with an additional 7 female moose (Alces alces americana) occupying the Park highlands, a region dominated by heath and shrub vegetation with forest limited to sheltered valleys, typical of interior and highland parts of the province. Resource selection function (RSF) models with differences in habitat use between moose resident in the 2 regions and 2 moose that migrated from the lowlands in winter to the highlands in summer were rejected. In summer, more use of closed-canopy forest types occurred on the lowlands, while more use of non-forest habitat types occurred on the highlands. As before, we found that selection of disturbed forest is a winter phenomenon on the lowlands of GMNP; the same series of habitat types associated with disturbance were avoided in summer. Summer migration by about 20% of GMNP moose to the highlands suggests that foraging opportunities are better during that season than in winter, a motivation for migration perhaps augmented by an overabundance of moose on the lowlands and unfavourable temperatures in disturbed areas that might otherwise serve as lowland foraging areas. An observation of more clustered relocations of moose on the highlands than on the lowlands of GMNP is consistent with our conclusion that moose use habitats within the highlands and lowlands of Newfoundland and Labrador very differently. We recommend 2 approaches to moose management for these different landscapes, both within GMNP and elsewhere in Newfoundland and Labrador
MOOSE HABITAT IN MASSACHUSETTS: ASSESSING USE AT THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE RANGE
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 more than 200 year absence. In southern New England, moose are exposed to a variety of forest types, increasing development, and higher ambient temperatures as compared to other parts of their geographic range. Additionally, large-scale disturbances that shape forest structure and expansive naturally occurring shrub-willow communities used commonly elsewhere are lacking. We used utilization distributions to determine third order habitat selection (selection within the home range) of GPS-collared moose. In central Massachusetts, forests regenerating from logging were the most heavily used cover type in all seasons (48 - 63% of core area use). Habitat use of moose in western Massachusetts varied more seasonally, with regenerating forests used most heavily in summer and fall (57 and 46%, respectively), conifer and mixed forests in winter (47 - 65%), and deciduous forests in spring (41%). This difference in habitat selection reflected the transition from northern forest types to more southern forest types across the state. The intensive use of patches of regenerating forest emphasizes the importance of sustainable forest harvesting to moose. This study provides the first assessment of habitat requirements in this southern portion of moose range and provides insights into re-establishment of moose in unoccupied portions of its historic range in New York and Pennsylvania
AGE, SEX, AND SEASONAL DIFFERENCES OF CARCASS WEIGHTS OF MOOSE FROM THE CENTRAL INTERIOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Get PDFCarcass weight (4 quarters without head, hide, lower legs, or internal organs) of moose (Alces alces) harvested in 1995-2007 in the Omineca sub-region of the Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada were obtained from meat cutters records submitted to the Conservation Officer Service, Prince George, British Columbia. Mean carcass weight of male calves (<1 year) was 82 ± 16 (SD) kg and was not different (P = 0.629) from that of female calves that was 81 ± 13 kg. Mean carcass weight of juvenile bulls (spike/fork antlers) was 162 ± 21 kg. The mean carcass weight (249 ± 37) of adult bulls (larger than spike/fork antlers) was heavier (25%, P <0.001) than that of adult cows (199 ± 29 kg. Mean carcass weight of adult bulls was heavier (14 kg or 5.9% of carcass weight, P = 0.002) in the pre-rut (10-25 September) than post-rut period (16-31 October); a similar change did not occur in juvenile bulls (P = 0.244). The mean carcass weights of calves (P = 0.651) and adult cows (P = 0.142) were not different between the October and late November-early December hunting seasons. Carcass weights and sexual size dimorphism for moose from the Omineca were mostly similar to those from European and North American ranges. We recommend increased collection of biological data at hunter check stations to provide more accurate body weight data and associated relationships
Characteristics of post-parturition areas of moose in northeast Minnesota
Get PDFHabitat used in the three to four weeks after parturition could be important to calf survival. Newborn calves are vulnerable to predation, and the cow needs adequate forage reserves during the period when calf mobility is limited. Radio collared cows were located by visual observation from helicopters between May 21 and June 5 from 2004-2007. A post-parturition area was defined as 100 ha surrounding the cow/calf location. We determined cover type composition in post-parturition areas compared to the 95% kernel home ranges of moose. Buffers of 5, 10, 25, and 50 ha were created around post-parturition areas to determine cover type composition at smaller spatial scales. Post-parturition areas were also compared to equivalent areas surrounding cows without calves. Post-parturition sites had more lowland conifer and shrubland or regenerating/young forest cover types than random locations within the home range. Cows with calves selected areas with larger proportions of lowland conifer, shrublands, and regenerating forests than did cows without calves. These cover types could have been used for cover and for foraging, respectively. There was no difference in the amount of water available in post-parturition areas (3.5% ± 0.8) when compared to home ranges (3.5% ± 0.8). Distances between consecutive post-parturition locations (1.7 ± 0.4 km) were less than expected when compared to distances to random points within the home ranges (3.3 ± 0.4 km)
EFFECTIVE TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCES AMONG COVER TYPES IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA
Get PDFClimate is probably one of the ultimate influences on the southern boundary of moose (Alces alces) distribution because moose are sensitive to warm temperatures in both summer and winter. In 4 different cover types in northeastern Minnesota we compared ambient temperatures to black globe temperatures that measures mean radiant temperature of the environment. The 4 cover types were mixed forest, treed bogs, coniferous forest, and deciduous forest that comprised ~85% of home ranges of radio-collared moose in northeastern Minnesota. Ambient temperature measurements taken from a weather station within the study area exceeded assumed physiological thresholds of 14 and 20º C for 50 and 33% of the study period, respectively. Black globe temperatures varied among cover types and temperature differences increased within cover types as ambient temperature increased. The greatest difference between deciduous and conifer cover was 2º C in black globe temperature and occurred during warm periods when skies were clear. The biological significance of these temperature differences is not clear and suggests the presence of alternative cooling mechanisms of cover types, such as water and possibly soil and duff layers acting as heat sinks. Use of these potential alternative cooling mechanisms should be considered in future research
RADIOTELEMETRY LOCATIONS, HOME RANGES, AND AERIAL SURVEYS IN MINNESOTA
No full textHome ranges of radiocollared moose can be used to establish habitat requirements and areas used by moose. Home range data could also be useful in the implementation of aerial surveys. The area to be surveyed is usually stratified into low, medium, or high moose density blocks before the survey. Radiocollared moose can provide data to improve the stratification procedure because home range cover type composition could help stratify survey blocks. VHF radiotelemetry locations and home range data can also be used to evaluate survey results. High moose density survey blocks contained more conifer forest and less wet bog than was present in moose home ranges or VHF telemetry locations. Proportionately more moose were seen in mixed forest and regenerating forest during the aerial survey, even though VHF telemetry locations indicated moose were using the wet bog cover type. This bias could be corrected by the Sightability Correction Factor used in the survey, or the survey may underestimate the population size if moose are undetected. Further evaluation of survey data and increased resolution of moose locations is required to resolve this issue
HISTORY AND STATUS OF MOOSE IN OREGON
Get PDFMoose (Alces alces) were not present in Oregon at the time of European settlement. Five Alaskan moose were transplanted to the central Oregon coast in 1922, but the effort ended in failure. The first recorded sighting of moose in northeast Oregon occurred in 1960, and 20 sightings were reported at various locations throughout northeast Oregon from 1960-2000. From 2001-2006 the number of sightings increased substantially in the northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, including the first documented calf in 2005. Moose in the northern Blue Mountains became established through natural dispersal, with most believed to have dispersed southwest across the Palouse Prairie from the Moscow Mountain area of Idaho. Moose habitat in the Blue Mountains is characterized by managed coniferous forest with a mixture of mature timber and logged areas in various stages of succession. Survey efforts were established in 2006, with the present population estimated at 60. In 2008, 6 moose were radio-collared to obtain baseline information on reproduction, habitat use, and seasonal movements. Captured moose appeared healthy and were without external parasites, although the carotid worm (Elaeophora schneideri) was identified in a bull moose that died accidentally in 2010. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to continue monitoring population status, range expansion, and health of moose in Oregon