Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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THE IMPACT OF HUMAN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES: MOOSE AS A CASE STUDY
Get PDFContinual expansion of human development and recreational activity into previously undisturbed environments and wildlife habitat highlights the need for better understanding of behavioral impacts of human-induced disturbances on wildlife, especially where harvest is the main source of mortality. In a controlled field experiment in northern Sweden, we exposed 29 adult free-ranging GPS-collared female moose (Alces alces) to either off-trail hiking or snowmobiling activity to study individual response to non-lethal human activities. Both experimental disturbances resulted in significant increase in movement rates and diurnal activity ranges, and prompted moose to leave the area. Movement rates were elevated for 1 and 2 h following hiking and snowmobiling, respectively. We found that the overall moose response to human-induced disturbances was short in duration, suggesting negligible effect on the overall energy budget of moose in good condition when disturbances occur at moderate frequency
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MOOSE HIGHWAY CROSSINGS DURING WINTER IN THE BUFFALO FORK VALLEY, WYOMING
Get PDFTo accommodate increases in traffic volume and to address highway safety concerns, transportation managers often need to expand existing travel corridors which may result in increased risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions. By understanding the spatial and temporal characteristics of wildlife crossings, managers can apply appropriate mitigation techniques to reduce collision risk while maintaining habitat linkages. The U.S. Highway 287/26 reconstruction project in northwest Wyoming provided an opportunity to examine the influence of habitat, landscape, and anthropogenic features that influence highway crossing locations of Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi). A model developed to estimate adult (≥ 2 years) female moose winter habitat selection was used at a smaller spatial scale to determine if it could accurately identify moose crossing locations along a 9.7-km section of U.S. Highway 287/26 that bisects a high-density moose winter range in the Buffalo Fork Valley. To test our model’s predictive capability, we used 201 moose crossing locations collected previously by independent researchers using snow-track survey techniques. The majority (81%) of moose crossing events occurred in areas classified as high or medium-high relative probability of use. We also examined temporal patterns of moose crossings and the influence of fence types in influencing crossing location. Moose crossed the highway more frequently during early to mid-evening and less frequently during mid-day. Our findings indicate that preferred habitat and landscape features such as relatively flat, low elevation habitats dominated by deciduous shrubs/trees interspersed with conifers had a stronger influence on crossing location than fences
STATUS AND MANAGEMENT OF MOOSE IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES
Get PDFMoose (Alces alces) populations have been recovered in much of their historic range in the northeastern United States in the past 30 years, with their southern range edge extending to southern New England and northern New York. This southerly expansion occurred when certain other populations in the United States were in decline along the southern range edge, with climate change often cited as a probable cause. The areas that moose have recently occupied in the northeastern United States are some of the most densely human populated in moose range, which has raised concern about human safety and moose-vehicle collisions (MVC). We conducted a literature search about moose in the northeastern United States, and distributed a questionnaire and conducted phone interviews with regional biologists responsible for moose management to determine the status of moose, management activity, and research deficiencies and needs. Moose numbers appear stable throughout much of the region, with slow population growth in northern New York. Management activity ranges from regulated harvest of moose in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, to no active management in southern New England and New York. The combined annual harvest in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont is >3,000. MVCs are a widespread regional concern with >1,000 occurring annually involving several human fatalities. Research should address impact of parasitism by winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) and brain-worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) on productivity and mortality of moose, influence of climate change on population dynamics and range, and conflicts in areas with high human population density
AIMS-THERMAL - A THERMAL AND HIGH RESOLUTION COLOR CAMERA SYSTEM INTEGRATED WITH GIS FOR AERIAL MOOSE AND DEER CENSUS IN NORTHEASTERN VERMONT
Get PDFThis paper describes a simultaneously firing dual camera system that integrates a new generation radiometric thermal camera with a high spatial resolution natural color camera where all imagery is spatially indexed with local coordinates and managed by a GIS. A test of the system to estimate the moose population in northeastern Vermont found that the Airborne Imaging Multispectral Sensor (AIMS) Thermal system performed well under both overcast and sunny conditions; overcast conditions produced far fewer false-positive heat signatures than older systems. Tests for detection rates in hardwood stands indicated 100% accuracy. Tests to determine if camera lens parallax produced different probabilities of detection inside and outside of the image nadir due to the screening effect of trees indicated no such bias. The estimated moose density was 0.85 moose/km2 based on a 20% sample (136 km2) of the 682 km2 study area, and was within 5% of the pre-survey estimate. Future analysis will include testing of sightability in coniferous habitats
MOOSE BROWSING AND FOREST REGENERATION: A CASE STUDY IN NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Get PDFThe impact of moose (Alces alces) browsing on the regeneration of commercial hardwood and softwood tree species was evaluated in 3 regions with different moose population densities (0.26-0.83 moose/km²) in northern New Hampshire. Regeneration surveys were conducted in 4 age classes of clear-cuts (0-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-20 years) in June-August 2009. Stocking rate, tree height, and damage of dominant commercial stems were measured to assess regeneration and browse damage among age classes and regions. We assumed that a stocking rate of 40-60% (stems/plot) dominant commercial tree species without severe damage was an acceptable threshold of browse damage to achieve a fully stocked stand at 80 years. Mean stocking rate of all age classes was above the threshold in all regions (47-85%); the lowest stocking rates (47-52%) occurred in the 0-5 year age class but increased thereafter in all regions. The CT Lakes region (highest moose density) had more damage than both the North and White Mountain regions in the 11-15 year age class (F = 3.05; df; 6; P = 0.0002 and 0.0058, respectively). Tree heights were lower in the CT Lakes region (F = 2.30; df; 6; P = 0.04). Most damage was restricted to a few isolated clear-cuts at higher elevation near moose wintering areas that were possibly shifting to conifer dominance. Regeneration of commercial tree species was not considered a regional problem at any moose density in northern New Hampshire
THE FOUNDERS: A TRIBUTE TO PAT KARNS AND AL ELSEY
Get PDFTHE FOUNDERS: A TRIBUTE TO PAT KARNS AND AL ELSE