Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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HISTORY AND STATUS OF THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF MOOSE IN THE STEPPE ZONE OF UKRAINE
Get PDFThe moose (Alces alces) population in the steppe zone of Ukraine developed initially in 1955-1965. Early annual population growth rates were high ranging from 13-49% partly due to immigration of moose from Russia and Byelorussia. However, after fully occupying forest habitat and expanding to treeless biotopes, reproductive efficiency declined. This decline was influenced by large spatial isolation of suitable habitat; 52% of solitary males and 48% of solitary females were in isolated biotopes during breeding. Further, 8% of adult bulls were in herds without cows, and 21% of cows were in herds without bulls. Although individual productivity was good, 1.3±0.1/pregnant cow and 0.4/adult cow, isolation caused low participation in breeding (38.5% of adult cows), low number of calves (17.1% of population), and low annual population growth rate (≈ 6%/yr). The steppe moose population reached its maximum (n = 2776) in 1974 followed by steep decline; the decline was associated with harvests of 16.1% in 1973 and 12.5% in 1974, of which about 50% were adult animals. The population reached a second peak (n = 2147) in 1982 and declined gradually until 1992. A steep, annual population decline of 25.3±5.8% occurred after 1992; this decline was associated with excessive harvest beyond the annual population growth rate. Moose were extirpated from most regions of the steppe zone by the late 20th century. The current southern range of moose is limited to forest habitat, and except for a remnant population of about 80, the unique steppe population has disappeared from Ukraine
THE INFLUENCE OF MOOSE ON TREE SPECIES COMPOSITION IN LIESJÄRVI NATIONAL PARK IN SOUTHERN FINLAND
Get PDFIntensive forest management has promoted a rapid increase in Finland’s moose (Alces alces) population since the 1970s. The main objective of this study was to determine the role of moose browsing in modifying natural processes of protected forests that are influenced by high moose populations in adjacent managed forests. This study occurred in Liesjärvi National Park located in the mid-boreal vegetation region of Finland. Forest stands were sampled with line-plot sampling (50 m² plots at 100 m distances) in the older (OA; 1956) and newer (NA; 2005) parts of the Park. We found that long-term selective browsing in OA retarded the development of young stands in favor of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and low-growing broadleaf species. Browsing in recent years was relatively intensive in NA where young regeneration areas still existed from previous forest management. The most intensive browsing occurred on 18.6 % of trees in NA and 3.1 % in OA; young palatable tree species were taller in NA than OA. Also, in OA the density of preferred aspen (Populus tremula) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) trees was relatively low in the height class that produces the dominant tree canopy. Despite short-term intensive browsing, NA appeared better able to recover to a natural forest state. Fecal pellet groups associated with young Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and browsing of birch (Betula spp.) and aspen indicated the importance and role of forage quantity and quality on winter range of moose. The amount of consumed new twig biomass was 20-fold greater in NA compared to OA, indicating a difference in the size of the moose population and presumably habitat quality between the areas. The effect of browsing on different tree species was measured at the stand level in OA in an area restored with prescribed burning 11 years previous. Comparative measurements in two exclosures and adjacent open areas indicated that regeneration in the burned area was browsed intensively and growth of young trees was retarded, except spruce. The major impacts of browsing on aspen and rowan identify the need for new approaches to maintain forest diversity. A crucial issue will be the contradiction between preferred and sustained high moose harvests and the desire for natural forest diversity in conservation areas
PREVIOUS MEETING SITES
Get PDFPrevious meeting sites of the North American Moose Conference and Workshop dating back to 1963
COMPENSATORY SHOOT GROWTH IN TREMBLING ASPEN (POPULUS TREMULOIDES MICHX.) IN RESPONSE TO SIMULATED BROWSING
Get PDFMoose (Alces alces) browsing influences plant growth and architecture. We sought to determine the impact of the timing of moose browsing on bud development and growth in aspen shoots in the subsequent spring through simulation by clipping aspen (Populus tremuloides) stems in the field in June, July, and August 2005 at the University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC. To observe new leaf+shoot development in aspen over a 60-day period, the top meristems of both simulated browse treatments and unbrowsed controls were harvested in January 2006, and incubated in a growth chamber that simulated local springtime conditions. Total leaf+shoot biomass produced from stems was higher for June- and August-’browsed’ stems relative to unbrowsed controls. Mean stem diameter was significantly higher and number of total buds significantly lower on clipped relative to unclipped stems. The number of buds that broke winter dormancy and became active in the growth chamber remained relatively constant for both clipped and unclipped aspen, but with fewer dormant buds on clipped stems than controls. Overall, our findings suggest that the mechanical effects of moose browsing on aspen stimulate the production of compensatory leaf+shoot biomass, and therefore potential browse
WOOD QUALITY OF BIRCH (BETULA SPP.) TREES DAMAGED BY MOOSE
Get PDFEuropean white birch (Betula pubescens) and silver birch (B. pendula) are important tree species for Finnish pulp and wood-products industries. Moose (Alces alces) damage, however, reduces the quality of butt logs intended for high-quality plywood and saw logs. In addition to flaws in stem form, pith discoloration and color change outside the pith reduce quality and value of logs irrespective of their end use. Our objectives were to 1) analyze the external and internal quality of birch trees damaged by moose, 2) measure whether the severity, type, and occurrence of damage differedbetween silver birch and European white birch trees, and 3) evaluate visual criteria that would enable a forest-owner to assess damage and future value of moose-damaged birch trees prior to the first commercial thinning. We sampled 4 stands with a known history of moose damage; 18 trees per stand were classified by visual evaluation into 3 damage categories. The severity and type of damage lowering the internal quality of logs from sample trees were classified into 5 grades. The proportion of all visible color defects and/or decay was 74% in silver birch trees and 67% in white birch trees. Moose damage caused no visible color defect and/or decay in 35% of silver birch and 33% of white birch trees. The commercial quality and value of birch trees damaged by moose was reduced by the internal color defects and/or decay, even in certain trees without obvious external moose damage. Nevertheless, forest-owners can evaluate the internal quality of most birch trees in order to remove those of low-quality in the first commercial thinning by using external quality indicators of moose-damaged stems (e.g., stem form and clear curve at the point of stem breakage)
A PROGRAM TO MONITOR MOOSE POPULATIONS IN THE DEHCHO REGION, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, CANADA
Get PDFMoose (Alces alces) are an important traditional and spiritual resource for residents of the Dehcho Region of the Northwest Territories. Maintaining healthy and sustainable populations of moose for future generations is a goal of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR). Following a regional wildlife workshop with Dehcho First Nations, the need for a program to determine baseline information on moose populations and to foster community-based monitoring of moose in the Dehcho was identified. Such a program needed to be established prior to future proposed developments including the Mackenzie Gas Project. After extensive community consultation between local First Nations and ENR, a baseline aerial survey over a large area of the Dehcho was designed, and was to be followed by an annual monitoring program. Two key components identified for the annual monitoring program were an aerial survey and harvest sampling. The aerial survey would provide information on moose density and calf production, and harvest sampling would provide information on the relative health and physical condition of animals consumed by local residents. In light of increasing developmental pressures in the region, such information collected over time is important to harvesters, First Nations, wildlife managers, and land use planners alike because it should document change in the quantity and quality of a key traditional wildlife resource. Population estimates from the aerial surveys indicated that the estimated population density and calf:cow ratios were reasonable. Harvest data indicated low incidence of diseases and parasites, low levels of cadmium in organ tissue, and that moose were mostly in good or excellent body condition based on observation and fat indices. This study is an example of successfully combining the knowledge and cooperation of First Nation moose harvesters with the technical support of government biologists to secure valuable biological information for baseline data to monitor change associated with development in a region
REGIONAL POPULATIONS AND MIGRATION OF MOOSE IN NORTHERN YAKUTIA, RUSSIA
Get PDFFollowing an overall population decline of moose (Alces alces) after the 1970s, extensive aerial and ground surveys conducted since 1985 indicated that there were 7 distinct populations in northern Yakutia. They are isolated geographically by mountain ridges and major rivers, and are named the Leno-Olenek, Predverkhoyansk, Yana, Chondon, Momo-Selenyakh, Indigirka, and Kolyma populations. Although most occupy forest habitat associated with major rivers, some are migratory (40-200 km) moving both N-S and E-W, and certain populations overlap on winter range. Population densities generally range from 1-2 moose/10 km2, with higher and lower local densities. The northernmost Chondon population is unique by occupying sub-tundra forests and ridges. Because protective regulations did not produce measurable population recovery and were abandoned in 2004, management strategies must be adopted to address the ecological differences of these separate populations. Effective moose management in Yakutia will require further identification of range and habitat use, habitat structure and availability, and population estimates and dynamics of regional populations
THE EFFECTS OF HUMAN ACTIVITY ON SUMMER HABITAT USE BY MOOSE
Get PDFNon-fatal disturbance by humans can be analogous to predation risk because animal response to both directly reduces time available for other fitness-increasing activities such as foraging, maternal care, and reproductive behaviour. We studied the effects of human disturbance on moose (Alces alces) by examining hourly locations and movement patterns of 41 GPS-marked moose relative to human activity in central Norway during summer 2006. Our results indicated that moose moved further from inhabited houses and to areas of lower housing density in periods of high human activity as compared to periods of low human activity, and that this behavioural response was closely related to the level of human activity in the area used by moose. We also detected significant differences between responses of males and females with calves; males were more willing to use areas near houses and with higher housing density during periods of low human activity. This differential response was likely due to the higher perceived risks of foraging associated with maternal protection of non-independent offspring. Our study supports the idea that indirect cost associated with human disturbance is analogous to the influence of perceived predation risk on animals. We suggest that such indirect effects on moose should be accounted for when planning human construction and activity in prime moose habitat
REDUCED GENETIC DIVERSITY IN TWO INTRODUCED AND ISOLATED MOOSE POPULATIONS IN ALASKA
Get PDFI examined indices of genetic diversity in 2 isolated moose (Alces alces) populations in Alaska that were founded by low numbers of individuals to determine effects of founding and infer whether subsequent gene flow has occurred with surrounding moose populations. Kalgin Island is a small, predator-free island in Cook Inlet that was founded by 6 moose (3 females) in the late 1950s; its population has since undergone dramatic fluctuations. Berners Bay is an isolated population along the coast of southeastern Alaska that was founded by 21 calves introduced in 1958-1960. Genetic attributes of those populations were compared to a population in Yukon Flats in central Alaska that served as an outbred control. Indices from 11 microsatellite markers indicated substantial effects of founding and subsequent isolation. Heterozygosity and allelic diversity, both of which are reduced by genetic bottlenecks, were significantly lower in the introduced populations than the Yukon Flats population. Kalgin Island diversity was significantly lower than that for Berners Bay, and was likely due to the smaller founding size and subsequent population fluctuations. Neither introduced population exhibited evidence of gene flow from surrounding populations. Managers should consider the isolation of those populations when assessing risks to population viability and crafting management strategies