Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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STATUS OF REGIONAL MOOSE POPULATIONS IN EUROPEAN AND ASIATIC RUSSIA
Get PDFoai:ojs.pkp.sfu.ca:article/4The moose population in Russia contains 4 subspecies and peaked at >800,000 animals in 1990. A substantial population decline of >50% occurred in European Russia between 1990 and 2002; populations in Asiatic Russian have remained more stable. This decline was influenced by the relationships among population densities of moose and humans, available forest habitat, and exploitation of moose. In general, fluctuations in moose populations were lower in areas with more forest habitat and lower human density
STATUS OF REINTRODUCTIONS OF THREE LARGE HERBIVORES IN RUSSIA
Get PDFReintroductions of muskoxen (Ovibus moschatus), European bison (Bison bonasus), and moose (Alces alces) have occurred recently in Russia. Although the process of capturing and moving muskoxen was problematic in remote areas, the reintroduction of animals from Canada and the USA successfully restored this extirpated species, and the current population in northern Russia serves as a source for further transplants. European bison populations were stagnant and suffered from inbreeding in Russia prior to reintroduction of captive animals from throughout Europe. The population in Orlovskoye Polesie National Park has experienced population growth with improved genetic potential. Of concern is that reintroductions in other areas of Russia were unsuccessful and the global population of European bison is not improving. Moose from the Penzhina River area in Russia were successfully reintroduced to the Kamchatka Peninsula where they were absent for >400 years. The population is growing and dispersing across the peninsula from the transplant sites, and is among the largest physically in Eurasia
HISTORY AND STATUS OF MOOSE IN THE ROSTOV REGION, RUSSIA
Get PDFMoose (Alces alces) disappeared from the Rostov region in the 19th century due to agricultural development, hunting, and deforestation. They reappeared in the second half of the 20th century due to broad conservation measures including intensive forest management, and by the 1970s numbered >1000 and were found throughout the region. Although hunting was regulated, the population became stagnant in the 1980s presumably from trophy hunting that skewed the sex and age structure, as well as measurable wolf (Canis lupus) predation. Political reform in the 1990s further caused population decline due to increased and less regulated hunting, increased poaching without punishment, reduced predator control, decline in forest management, and large forest fires. Currently the population is at a 50-year low and occupies 1/3 of its range in the 1980s. Moose are no longer considered a commercial species, rather a species of concern
HOW MOOSE SELECT FORESTED HABITAT IN GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK, NEWFOUNDLAND
Get PDFCurrent Parks Canada policy does not allow moose (Alces alces) to be hunted in National Parks in Newfoundland and Labrador; combined with the extirpation of wolves (Canis lupus), this policy creates a situation where introduced moose (A. a. americana) are relatively predator-free in Gros Morne National Park. Forested areas of this park are frequently disturbed by defoliating insects resulting in extensive young conifer forest; increasingly, more areas are identified as failing to regenerate to normal tree densities or “not sufficiently restocked” (NSR). We used data from GPS-collared moose that occupy areas of the park where limited timber cutting is allowed for domestic purposes and a very detailed and current forest inventory exists; such areas are still dominated by insect and wind disturbance, including a large designation of NSR forest. We hoped to determine whether moose are found preferentially in disturbed forest versus other landscape patches during summer or winter, during day or night, and under certain temperature conditions. Variability in habitat availability and habitat use by moose appears to preclude forest management options directed at specific habitat types
THE STATUS AND MANAGEMENT OF MOOSE IN THE MURMANSK REGION, RUSSIA
Get PDFThe moose population in the Murmansk region has changed considerably in the past century. Moose appeared in the forest-tundra zones in the 1950s, occupied the Ponoy River area in the 1960-1970s, and population growth occurred to the north of the forest zone along the tributaries and rivers flowing into the Barents Sea. Some wintered in open tundra, but more commonly moose migrated between tundra and forested winter habitat. Official harvests began in the 1950s and were managed by Murmanskiy, a state owned company. A 5-year harvest ban was initiated in 1982 to recover the population; however, current harvest remains about a third of previous levels and the proportional harvest of calves and yearlings is higher. The current population is in good condition based upon weight and productivity data, occupies suitable winter habitat, and is not impacted by severe winter conditions. Because the Murmansk region is at the northern extent of moose range, management should focus upon regulated harvests, adequate population surveys, seasonal habitats and migratory corridors, the impact of harvest quotas and poaching, and the possible influence of global warming
FRAGMENTATION OF EURASIAN MOOSE POPULATIONS DURING PERIODS OF POPULATION DEPRESSION
Get PDFChanges in the distribution of Eurasian moose (Alces alces) populations during the Pleistocene and Holocene eras were analyzed from historical and contemporary literature. We focused on how range boundaries varied, suitable habitat was fragmented, and how local and regional populations were isolated, especially during periods of population depression. We discuss how the occurrence and duration of isolation of local populations likely influenced the genetic structure of Eurasian moose. We question the geographic division of certain subspecies, and suggest that our analysis be used to reinterpret and revise genetic structure of Eurasian moose populations
MOOSE CONSERVATION IN THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM, USA
Get PDFThe National Wildlife Refuge System in the United States includes about 150 million acres of lands and waters within 550 refuges managed for conservation. A variety of laws, regulations, and management polices help ensure these areas will be preserved for future generations. In a web-based survey, 35 refuges reported having established populations of moose (Alces alces) within their boundaries with nearly 40 million acres of moose habitat, 99% in Alaska. The 4 recognized subspeciesof moose in North America were represented on refuges found in 12 states. Approximately 39,000 moose were reported inhabiting refuges in the USA; about 38,000 in Alaska. Only 9 refuges used management practices specifically to benefit moose, primarily prescribed or wildland fire. Moose populations on refuges varied greatly and refuge managers reported numerous concerns including climate change, illegal harvest, habitat loss or degradation, parasites, disturbance, moose-vehicle collisions, predators, and both recreational and subsistence hunting. Future management implications of these issues are discussed
EDITORIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Get PDFOur thanks to the following individuals who served as referees for ALCES Volume 45. Each paper was reviewed by at least 2 referees who judged its appropriateness for publication and provided editorial assistance
DEER KED, AN ECTOPARASITE OF MOOSE IN FINLAND: A BRIEF REVIEW OF ITS BIOLOGY AND INVASION
Get PDFThe deer ked (Lipoptena cervi) is an important ectoparasite of moose (Alces alces) that has rapidly invaded Finland during the last 50 years, and is currently found in southern parts of Finnish Lapland. We have studied the invasion, behavior, and ecology of this parasitic fly, and in this paper briefly review the effect of climate on the distribution of deer keds and our recent findings from host-choice experiments. The rapid increase of the deer ked is correlated with high moose densities in Finland. We propose that the availability of suitable hosts, not climate, is the primary factor affecting its northward range expansion. Our host-choice experiments indicated that deer keds are attracted by movement and large, dark objects. Our results suggest that this parasite may continue to spread northwards in the near future, and that its potential impact on cervids and human health warrants attention