Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
Not a member yet
997 research outputs found
Sort by
EFFECTS OF PLANT COMPENSATION ACROSS SITES ON REGRESSION ESTIMATES OF SHOOT BIOMASS AND LENGTH
Get PDFRegression estimates for determining browse shoot biomass from bite diameters and shoot basal diameters are commonly used to estimate biomass consumption and the impacts that herbivores have on range resources. Such estimates tend to be based on equations built from data taken across the continuum of shoot morphometries present on plants within a given study area. How these morphometric relationships differ between the shoots of undamaged and damaged (e.g., following browsing, shoot breakage, or brush-cutting) plants is unclear. To assess the effects of plant compensation and the importance of site on shoot morphometrics for Scouler's Willow (Salix scouleriana), we clipped and measured current annual shoots at 5 sites in central British Columbia. Each site had been previously brush-cut and current annual shoots were collected from both brush-cut and control willows. For each treatment and site, we developed separate regressions to predict shoot weight from length, weight from basal diameter, and length from basal diameter. Comparisons of individual regressions indicated that different regressions, or even different forms of regressions (i.e., power function versus linear), are needed to accurately predict shoot weight and length depending on whether or not plants are producing compensatory or non-compensatory shoots. For some willows in the same treatment category (brush-cut versus uncut), the appropriate regressions differed among some sites. These results suggest that the effects of plant compensation following mechanical damage have important implications to the extrapolation and interpretation of shoot morphometric relationships, and thus, biomass estimates across different study areas
ASSESSING RE-COLONIZATION OF MOOSE IN NEW YORK WITH HSI MODELS
Get PDFAfter nearly a century of decline and range contraction in the northeastern United States, moose (Alces alces) have re-colonized Adirondack Park, New York due to improved habitat and adjacent source populations. In this paper I present the results of 2 Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) models used to examine the pattern of moose recovery in Adirondack Park. Sighting data collected in 1980-1999 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation were used to compare moose locations with 3 suitability levels of moose habitat predicted by the HSI models. The 2 models indicated that most of Adirondack Park was a combination of suitable (49-73%) and most suitable habitat (10-35%) for moose; the majority (53-77%) of sightings occurred in suitable habitat. However, the distribution of moose locations derived from sighting data might have been influenced by where human recreational activity occurred because sighting locations were not well correlated with the most suitable habitat. The combined analysis of the sighting locations and the HSI models provided valuable insight into the current and potential occupation and distribution of moose in Adirondack Park
AN EXAMINATION OF THE ABSENCE OF ESTABLISHED MOOSE (ALCES ALCES) POPULATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN CAPE BRETON ISLAND, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
Get PDFAn analysis was performed on habitat-related factors for the southeastern side of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia to investigate the continued absence of moose (Alces alces) from the region. Temperature and snow depth, at times, reach levels that could cause thermal stress or impede movement of moose; however, it is unlikely that these factors dictate the absence of moose. No clear relationships were established between environmental concentration levels of the heavy metals molybdenum, cadmium, copper, and lead and moose distribution; however, high concentration levels of molybdenum in the Cape Breton study area warrant further investigation. Road density assessments showed that the study area has a higher level of road density compared to 2 mainland control sites; however, higher road density occurs in other areas in which moose persist. Anthropogenic factors such as poaching were not considered influential enough to exclude moose. A forest habitat comparison analysis was performed to identify habitat features that were statistically correlated with moose presence, and then were applied in a probability model to predict moose presence in the study area. The logistic regression model used to predict the probability of moose presence was composed of positively associated forest inventory variables (softwood average maturity, hardwood average maturity, % mixed hardwood, % non-forested area, total wetland area) that best fit the data. The model identified 43% of the Cape Breton study area as having a high-probability weighting for moose presence. Overall, this study did not reveal a clearly identifiable cause for the continued absence of moose in southeastern Cape Breton Island
ALCES 44 (2008) EDITORS
No full textNames of chief editor, submissions editor, business editor, and associate editors for Alces 44 (2008)
DOES MOOSE BROWSING THREATEN EUROPEAN ASPEN REGENERATION IN KOLI NATIONAL PARK, FINLAND?
Get PDFLarge European aspen (Populus tremula) trees host hundreds of species of which many are threatened species of conifer-dominated, old-growth boreal forests. Aspen is also one of the deciduous tree species most intensively used by moose (Alces alces) in Finland. In conservation areas aspen regeneration is facilitated by large-scale disturbances, especially fires and windstorms, and also by mortality of individual trees and small-scale disturbances that create small openings. These aggregated patches of young aspens provide high quality feeding sites for moose. In Finland, it has been hypothesized that intense browsing pressure by moose on aspen may prevent new aspen cohorts from emerging, and thus endanger the spatio-temporal continuum of aspen occurrence in the long term. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of moose browsing on the regeneration of aspen in Koli National Park in eastern Finland at 2 different spatial scales, the landscape level and stand level. Our results indicated that moose browsing on aspen has been very intense in the area. At the landscape level, moose damaged (twig-browsing, stem breakage, or bark stripping) 96% of aspens in the southern area and 62% in the northern area of the Park. In addition, 23% of the damaged aspens (all <5 m) were dead in the southern area. According to counts of fecal pellet groups, moose activity was higher in the southern area than the northern area. At the stand level, on average, 79% of the aspens in the southern area and 73% in the northern area were damaged. The proportion of dead aspens (35%) was highest in stands in height category of 5-15 m. Aspen density declined from young to old stands in both areas. Bark stripping was relatively common in the height category of 5-15 m over the whole area. We concluded that the current browsing pressure retards the height development of young aspens because of the repeated break-off of main stems and leader shoots. Although occurrence of aspen may decline due to high browsing pressure by moose, the majority of aspens have excellent tolerance to heavy and repeated browsing. Hence, a high proportion of aspens may reach maturity, and thus maintain the spatio-temporal continuum of aspen occurrence at a level that contributes to its role in community dynamics and local and regional biodiversity
GRAIN OVERLOAD AND SECONDARY EFFECTS AS POTENTIAL MORTALITY FACTORS OF MOOSE IN NORTH DAKOTA
Get PDFThe intent of this article is to alert biologists of a potential mortality factor of moose in agricultural areas. It has long been recognized that ruminants switching from a natural diet of browse (a cellulose-based diet) to one of more readily digestible carbohydrates (a starch-based diet), such as corn and wheat, are predisposed to developing conditions such as enterotoxemia, polioencephalomalacia, acute rumenitis, liver abscesses, laminitis, and to sudden death. These are often secondary to grain overload (acute acidosis) and are frequently documented in cattle and sheep which are moved from pasture to feedlot. Necropsies of 4 moose in North Dakota were not entirely conclusive, but suggested that grain overload occurred and was a cause of mortality. Necropsy findings that supported grain overload as a contributing factor to death included acute rumenitis, isolation of Clostridium perfringens coupled with hemorrhagic enteritis, chronic laminitis, and polioencephalomalacia. Four likely scenarios exist in which grain overload occurs in North Dakota moose including consumption of planted crops such as corn and wheat, access to bait piles mainly intended for deer, access to cattle feeding sites, and access to recreational feeding sites. These findings have important implications for the regulation of baiting and recreational feeding practices in North Dakota and elsewhere in moose range of similar situation
THE IMPORTANCE OF INDIVIDUAL VARIATION IN DEFINING HABITAT SELECTION BY MOOSE IN NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Get PDFUnderstanding resource use and selection has been central to many studies of ungulate ecology. Global positioning satellite (GPS) collars, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) now make it easier to examine variation in use and selection by individuals. Resource selection functions, however, are commonly developed for global (all animals pooled) models and important information on individual variability may be lost. Using data from 14 female moose (Alces alces) collared in the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area of northern British Columbia, we examined differences among global and individual resource selection models for 5 seasons (winter, late winter, calving, summer, and fall). The global models indicated that moose selected for mid-elevations, and for deciduous burns and Carex sedge areas in all seasons. Resource selection models for individuals, however, indicated that no individuals selected the same attributes as the global models. We also examined selection ratios among seasons with individual moose as replicates, and within individuals with bootstrapping techniques. We discuss the importance of considering individual variation in defining resource selection and habitat use by moose and contrast the results of selection ratios and resource selection models. We also use these data to illustrate some of the pitfalls that can be encountered using the 2 methodologies
MOUNTAIN CARIBOU INTERACTIONS WITH WOLVES AND MOOSE IN CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA
Get PDFMountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations in south-eastern British Columbia are declining over most of their range and are listed as Threatened. Predation has been documented as the major cause of declining caribou numbers. Excessive predation by wolves (Canis lupus) has been related to increased moose (Alces alces) numbers. The increase in moose appears to be the result of a natural colonization process that has been enhanced by human-caused habitat change. Options to reduce the rate of predation include reducing wolves, reducing moose, and reducing the amount of early seral habitat that supports moose. Current management includes population control of moose and wolves. Monitoring and assessment of these approaches will guide the future management strategy used to maintain mountain caribou in south-eastern British Columbia
MANAGEMENT AND CHALLENGES OF THE MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE INFESTATION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Get PDFCentral British Columbia is currently subject to the largest outbreak of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosa) ever recorded in British Columbia. The massive expansion of this natural disturbance agent is a result of both natural and human-associated influences including milder winter weather and fire suppression policy. Resource managers are grappling with a response to the infestation that considers economic, social, and ecological factors. In British Columbia the response has moved from a control or sanitation phase, to an economic recovery or salvage phase. The condition of the landscape resulting from the insect and the management associated with each phase will impact wildlife populations. Distribution and abundance of certain species will either increase or decline in response to changes in the forest vegetation and hydrologic regime. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), fisher (Martes pennanti), marten (Martes americana), woodpeckers, and pygmy nuthatches (Sitta pygmaea) are considered species with high sensitivity to mortality of pine trees that will adversely affect their forage, cover, and nesting/denning habitat. Moose (Alces alces) will probably benefit in the short-term from increased forage resources, but may decline long-term from intensive forest management to recover mature forest stands. The impact of larger and more dispersed moose and wolf (Canis lupus) populations could harm the recovery and stability of threatened caribou populations in British Columbia