Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROCESS TO PLAN MOOSE MANAGEMENT IN MINNESOTA
Get PDFConcern over the decline of moose in Minnesota led to a Legislative Session Law mandating that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) develop a Moose Management and Research Plan (MMP). Prior to developing the MMP, the DNR was required to form a Moose Advisory Committee (MAC). The MAC met 8 times in August 2008-July 2009 and provided management and research recommendations to the DNR in a 45-page report available on the internet. This paper details the MAC process and serves as a reference for agencies that find themselves in a similar management circumstance. Procedural decisions, planning needs, and development of the final report are discussed herein
NUTRITONAL CONDITION OF ADULT FEMALE SHIRAS MOOSE IN NORTHWEST WYOMING
Get PDFThe "animal indicator concept" assumes that because an animal is a product of its en­vironment, it likely reflects the quality of its environment. Although this concept has been applied to assess population condition and habitat quality for Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas), to our knowledge this is the first time it has been used to assess the nutritional status of a Shiras moose (A.a. shirasi) population. We investigated the physical condition and nutritional status of adult (≥ 2 years) female Shiras moose captured in northwest Wyoming during the winters of 2005-2007. Rump fat depth was measured via ultrasonography and biological samples were collected and analyzed for hematology, serum chemistry, micro- and macronutrients, endo- and ectoparasites, and bacterial and viral serology. Five blood parameters believed to be important predictors of moose condition (packed cell volume, total serum protein, hemoglobin [Hb], calcium [Ca], and phosphorous [P]) were compared to data from Alaskan moose considered to be in average-above average condition. Micro- and macronutrient values were evaluated based on published deficiency levels for domestic herbivores. We conducted a correlation analysis to determine if a significant relationship existed between hematological and serum chemical parameters and rump fat depth. Mean rump fat depth did not differ among years and was greater than reported values for Alaskan moose. However, a high proportion of sampled moose had Hb, Ca, and P values lower than Alaskan moose that were considered to be in average condition. Hair and serum micro- and macronutrient analyses indicated a high proportion of moose were potentially deficient in copper, zinc, manganese, and P. We observed a marginally significant relationship between depth of rump fat and two serum chemical parameters (aspartate amimotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase). The results are suggestive of a Shiras moose population in marginal physical condition that is probably related to less than optimal habitat quality. These findings should assist managers in evaluating the health of Shiras moose populations throughout their range
FIFTY YEARS OF FOOD AND FORAGING IN MOOSE: LESSONS IN ECOLOGY FROM A MODEL HERBIVORE
Get PDFFor more than half a century, biologists have intensively studied food habits and forag­ing behavior of moose (Alces alces) across their circumpolar range. This focus stems, in part, from the economic, recreational, and ecosystem values of moose, and because they are relatively easy to observe. As a result of this research effort and the relatively simple and intact ecosystems in which they often reside, moose have emerged as a model herbivore through which many key ecological ques­tions have been examined. First, dietary specialization has traditionally been defined solely based on a narrow, realized diet (e.g., obtaining >60% of its diet from 1 plant genus). This definition has not been particularly useful in understanding herbivore adaptations because >99% of mammalian herbi­vores are thus classified as generalists. Although moose consume a variety of browses across their range, many populations consume 50-99% of their diets from 1 genus (e.g., Salix). Like obligatory herbivores, moose have demonstrated adaptations to the chemistry and morphology of their nearly monospecific diets, which precludes them from eating large amounts of grass and many forbs. New classifications for dietary niche suggest that moose fit on the continuum between facultative special­ists and facultative generalists. Second, moose have been the subject of early and influential models predicting foraging behavior based on the tradeoffs between quality and quantity in plants. Subsequent models have predicted the size of stems selected by moose based on the tradeoffs between fast harvest­ing (large twigs) and quick digestion (small twigs). Because of their size, moose require many hours to harvest food, often selecting large bites as browse density declines. Finally, long-term monitoring of moose populations has provided evidence of how populations and communities are regulated. Low reproductive rates and long-term population trends shaped by moose density and forage availability on Isle Royale suggest a strong bottom-up effect on moose populations. Empirical data and simulation models suggest that moose may shape their own forage supply, influencing their community and their own populations, especially when large predators are scarce. Likewise, predation is the primary fac­tor affecting calf survival and thus moose populations in Alaska, demonstrating the important role of top-down factors. Moose will continue to provide a model for examining ecological questions such as tolerances for plant chemistry, what governs animal movements over landscapes, and reciprocal interactions between predation and reproduction
OPTIMAL HARVESTING OF MOOSE IN ALBERTA
Get PDFWe developed a stage/sex matrix model for quota-harvest management of moose (Al­ces alces) populations in Alberta, and believe that the model structure has general applicability for harvesting of large mammal populations. The model includes density dependence in stage/sex-based vital rates and allows for estimation of carrying capacity and herd composition at carrying capacity from limited population survey data and harvest data. The model allows a biologist to evaluate optimal harvest strategies with the aim to optimize either the yield of the number of bulls harvested (goal B) or the yield of the total number of moose harvested (goal TY). The model predicted that to optimize yield of bulls, hunting of calves should be avoided because male calves recruit into the bull population the following year. If optimizing total yield, calves should be subject to intense harvest; harvesting for calves was predicted to be more intense than for bulls if female harvesting was not allowed, other­wise less intense. Bull harvest was less intense when trying to optimize yield of bulls than optimiz­ing total yield. Small quotas of females could increase optimal yield substantially. The model also predicted that predation on calves and females reduced long-term optimal harvest intensity and calf predation reduced optimal total yield more than it influenced the optimal harvest of bulls. Reductions in moose abundance caused by predation and stochastic weather events can potentially cause severe consequences to harvest policy, challenging wildlife managers who must balance moose conservation, predator control, and hunter harvests. We believe that our model can facilitate harvest management, but vigilant monitoring of herd population size and composition will be necessary to ensure balance between predation and hunter harvests
MODELING SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION AND SPATIAL RANGE CAPACITY APPROXIMATIONS OF MOOSE IN SOUTHEASTERN WYOMING
No full textPredictive maps of Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi) habitat associations have not been created for most Wyoming populations. For the state's most recently established population in the southeastern mountains, a literature-based winter habitat suitability index (HIS) model was developed and assessed with locations of 23 moose wearing global positioning system (GPS) radio-collars in 2005-2006. Overall, the winter HSI model was poorly predictive of habitat occupancy. The relation­ship between individual utilization distributions and landscape variables was modeled with resource selection functions (RSF) during winter and non-winter periods. In winter, moose generally responded in a similar fashion to distance variables to riparian shrub, to deciduous forest and to forest edge, in addition to slope and slope2. Due to snow pack differences, 2 separate models were created for each winter; thermal aspect (warm vs. cool slopes) rather than slope and slope2 was more predictive in the winter of deeper snow. The non-winter model demonstrated the nearly exclusive importance of riparian shrub habitat in close proximity to forest cover across a wider range of elevations than during winter. Non-winter moose locations were best explained by the total area of riparian shrub patches within a surrounding 1 km radius. Distance to forest edge had a considerably stronger influence on non-winter habitat use. The association with deciduous forest was still significant, although less than during win­ter; slope was also explanatory. The models were validated and a spatial algorithm was employed to make rough carrying capacity approximations within the study area, based on the predicted RSF habitat quality and observed sizes of moose winter home ranges
ALCES 46 (2010) EDITORS
No full textNames of chief editor, submissions editor, business editor, and associate editors for Alces 46 (2010)
44TH NORTH AMERICAN MOOSE CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP
Get PDFThe 44th North American Moose Conference and Workshop was held at Idaho State University (ISU) in Pocatello, Idaho, 14-17 June 2009. The theme for the conference was "Population, Behavioral, and Landscape Ecology of Moose: Implications for Theory and Management." The conference was hosted by the Department of Biological Sciences at ISU, with extensive help from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. There were 77 delegates registered for the meeting who came from throughout North America and Sweden. The US was represented by delegates from 16 states, and Canada by participants from 5 provinces; their broad experience resulted in vigorous discussions about moose research, management, and biology
REDUCING NON-TARGET MOOSE CAPTURE IN WOLF SNARES
Get PDFI investigated the characteristics of moose (Alces alces) bycatch in kill snares set for wolves (Canis lupus) in interior and south-central Alaska, USA. My objective was to design a kill snare that would reduce moose vulnerability and injury if captured without reducing its effectiveness for capturing wolves. I documented at close range (<30 m) snare encounters by captive moose in natural habitat at the Kenai Moose Research Center (MRC) in south-central Alaska. Moose contacted 153 cm or 183 cm snares (n = 184) with their chest-shoulder area (59.8%), neck-head region (34.2%), upper legs (3.8%), and along the ribs (2.2%). I documented the fate of moose following 225 snare contacts; 13.8% were captured by the nose (5.8%), leg (4.9%), or unknown (3.1%) with the remainder either knock-downs (65.3%) or push-asides (21.0%). Moose did not attempt to avoid snares. Of the 147 knock-downs, 86.4% formed a loop 15-38 cm in diameter that laid near the snow surface continuing to present a potential trap for moose. I also evaluated capture rates by loop size for wild moose in 3 study areas in interior Alaska. Capture rate and type were not influenced by snare loop size or snow depth in the wild or the MRC. Capture vulnerability of wild and captive moose was higher in snares that were knock-downs by other moose or wind. I subsequently developed a snare that incorporated an additional wire (diverter) placed at a height that allowed moose or any ungulate taller than the set height of a wolf snare to contact and push the snare away prior to contact. This design reduced the vulnerability of moose but not wolves to capture. I also placed a cinch stop at 24.1-26.7 cm from the end stop of the snare loop to reduce injury to moose and act as a breakaway system without reducing the snare's effectiveness for capturing wolves. Results of this study are applicable to areas where wolf or coyote (Canis latrans) snaring occurs in the presence of moose and other large hoofed mammals
ALBERT W. FRANZMANN AND DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES MEMORIAL AWARD
Get PDFInspired by the passing of our beloved colleague, mentor, and friend Al Franzmann in February, 2009, and to honour all of those who have passed on and have contributed to our knowledge and understanding of moose biology and management, Alces has established the “Albert W. Franzmann and Distinguished Colleagues Memorial Award.