Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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FACTORS AFFECTING EPIZOOTICS OF WINTER TICKS AND MORTALITY OF MOOSE
No full textDie-offs of moose (Alces alces) associated with, or attributed to, winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) are widespread and have been reported since the early part of the last century. Extrinsic factors such as weather and vegetative structure, and host factors such as moose density and, indirectly, tick-induced damage to the hair coat, were examined in an attempt to predict related problems for moose. The proposal that warmer and shorter winters result in increased survival of adult female ticks dropping off moose in March and April, and increased tick populations on moose the following winter, was generally confirmed. Annual changes in hair damage and loss on moose, which are documented from the air, coincided with annual changes in numbers of ticks on moose, providing managers with a survey tool to monitor and estimate changing numbers of ticks. Tick numbers lagged 1 year behind moose numbers in Elk Island National Park over a 12-year period, and many moose died when numbers of both were high. Several widespread, concurrent die-offs suggest extrinsic influences play a role, possibly independent of moose density. The lack of objective and continuous data sets should guide future research efforts
SEASONAL ADAPTATIONS OF MOOSE (ALCES ALCES) METABOLISM
No full textThe experiments were conducted on two yearling moose (Alces alces) with rumen fistulas in July and October. Intake of digestible nutrients and energy was two times higher in July than in October when a water balance was lower. Total volatile fatty acid concentration in rumen liquid decreased with a proportional change of increased acetate and reduced propionate and butyrate. Coincidentally, the level of volatile fatty acids in blood rose, and glucose concentration of ketone bodies declines. The data suggest that metabolic adaptations for limiting heat loss in winter include inhibition of aerobic oxidation, enhancement of anaerobic glycolytic pathways of energy supply, and reduction of water exchange
A SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF MOOSE-VEHICLE COLLISIONS IN MOUNT REVELSTOKE AND GLACIER NATIONAL PARKS, CANADA
No full textMoose (Alces alces)-vehicle collisions (MVC) can be costly by ecologically affecting population numbers, economically by vehicle damage, and socially through human injury or mortality. The purpose of this paper is to identify factors related to moose ecology, driver behaviour, and road design that are useful for predicting the spatial location of MVC on the Trans Canada Highway dissecting Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks. We identified 6 subsets of logistic regression models and used Akaike's Information Criteria (AIC) to determine the most parsimonious model within each subset. In addition to this study being the first to examine collisions within these 2 parks, each of these 6 modelling procedures is unique in predicting MVC. Five of the six subsets modelled local-scale/field-based hypotheses of driver visibility, moose evidence, highway design, roadside vegetation, and mosoe habitat, while the sixth subset examined landscape-scale hypotheses through the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS). The Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) discriminated between MVC and random inference sites in order to validate the best fit model from each of the 6 subsets. A MVC probability map along the highway was created using the GIS model, providing a powerful and relatively efficient and inexpensive planning tool. The moose evidence model correctly classified the most MVC among the local-scale models. In relation to the spatial analysis, highway planning to reduce MVC risk within the parks should begin by assessing landscape-scale variables with emphasis on distance to wetland and landscape slope. This landscape-scale analysis should be followed by field-based modelling using moose evidence and habitat-related modelling with important predictors of moose tracks, game trails, and coniferous forest habitat. If highway planning cannot be effective in decreasing MVC, mitigation measures should include a public awareness program, speed reduction, and consideration of an alternative intercept foraging plan
EFFECTS OF WILLOW QUALITY ON MOOSE DISTRIBUTION IN A MONTANE ENVIRONMENT
No full textPlant communities in Rocky Mountain National Park are influenced by a steep elevation gradient. Therefore, we hypothesized that summer forage quality of willow (Salix sp.) communities varies with elevation. Moose (Alces alces shirasi) in Colorado rely heavily on willow for summer browse, and browse patches differ in size as well as productivity in mountainous environments. We also hypothesized that moose distribution within the park is influenced by willow forage quality and that moose would distribute themselves by sex and age class across the elevation gradient in accordance with their need for forage quality and quantity. We measured crude protein and fiber content for 3 of the most abundant willow species. Where present, willows were collected at 3 different elevations during 5 sampling periods throughout the summers of 2003 and 2004. Because elevation influenced both chemical and physical properties of willow, we found its relationship with browse quality to be more complex than that reported for herbaceous forage. Whereas the relationship is often linear with herbaceous forage, we hypothesize that an apex in browse quality may be reached between the extremes of an elevation gradient. Although higher elevation willow communities often offered chemically superior forage (e.g., more nutritious), it was also physically inferior (e.g., lower achievable intake rates). Mid and high elevation sites were used predominantly by females. Therefore, moose with smaller body sizes (and thus smaller absolute energy requirements) probably exploit the most nutririous willow communities more efficiently, while larger moose (adult males) likely encounter intake constraints at higher elevations because of their higher absolute energy requirements. However, elevation-specific intake rates are needed to determine at which elevation moose are assimilating the greatest amount of nutrients.
TRACE ELEMENTS STATUS OF MOOSE AND WHITE-TAILED DEER IN NOVA SCOTIA
No full textThe province of Nova Scotia is considered to have two distinct moose populations: mainland and Cape Breton Island. In 2003, moose of the mainland area of hte province were formally listed as "ENDANGERED" under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act. To date, the specific causes of the decline of this population have not been determined. Factors impacting health, including trace element imbalances, have been considered as potential limiting factors for the mainland population. Liver and kidney samples were collected from moose and white-tailed deer throughout Nova Scotia during the fall and winter 2000 – 2002 to compare trace element concentrations between the two species, in relation to age, gender, and geographical location, and to other areas outside the province. All samples were analysed for arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, selenium, and zinc. Tissue concentrations of tace elements in deer and moose in Nova Scotia are generally similar to levels reported in cervid populations elsewhere in North America and Europe with the exception of zinc and cobalt, which appear to be lower in Nova Scotia. Kidney cadmium concentrations are high in some Nova Scotia moose (geometric mean = 60.4 μg/g dry weight, 95% CI = 40.3 – 90.6, n = 21), however, similar or higher concentrations have been reported in other regions. Relative to reference values for domestic cattle, cobalt, copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc levels are deficient or marginally deficient in some animals, however, there appears to be little supporting evidence that clinical deficiencies of any of these trace elements are occurring in Nova Scotia moose or deer populations. The possibility that marginal or deficient levels of these or other trace elements and high levels of cadmium may impact the health of individual animals either directly or through interactions with other factors (e.g., infectious and non-infectious diseases, harsh environmental conditions, habitat limitations) cannot be dismissed. Some considerations for continued monitoring of trace element concentrations in these populations are discussed.
MODELING THE IMPACT OF MOOSE AND WOLF MANAGEMENT ON PERSISTENCE OF WOODLAND CARIBOU
No full textLimiting factors of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) populations vary regionally. In tundra environments, this species appears to be regulated by food, either because wolves (Canis lupus) are absent or because migration of caribou allows escape from predation during part of the year. In the boreal forest, the main limiting factors are hunting and predation but because of low caribou densities, no regulation mechanism seems to exist between caribou and wolves. Moose (Alces alces) is the primary prey species of wolves and consequently, if moose abundance increases, wolves should also increase, independently of the caribou population. Thus, caribou could experience high predation rates and be eliminated in high wolf densities. Here we attempted to identify the necessary conditions to maintain caribou numbers in the presence of moose. To do so, we built a deterministic model that simulated the relationship between a caribou population regulated by food competition and limited by predation, a moose population regulated by predation, and a wolf population, the abundance of which is determined by moose abundance. At current hunting rates for caribou and moose in the boreal forest, and in the absence of wolf trapping, the model predicted that the caribou population would be extirpated in approximately 100 years. Wolf trapping was not adequate to conserve the caribou population unless very intensive control was undertaken. In the absence of trapping, cessation of caribou hunting allowed a 3-fold increase in caribou numbers over the long term, if the moose population remained low. According to our model, the best management measure for caribou consisted of maintaining a low moose density through appropriate population and habitat management strategies, which prevented expansion of the wolf population and limited predation on caribou
CHARACTERISTICS OF NEONATAL MOOSE HABITAT IN NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
No full textHabitat use by parturient moose (Alces alces) may have important implications for calf survival and subsequently influence population dynamics. Because neonatal habitat may be limiting or specialized and little descriptive information exists in the northeastern United States, this study was conducted to measure the physical and vegetative characteristics associated with neonatal habitat of 30 maternal moose. There was no difference (P > 0.10 for each parameter) in 22 of 23 physical and vegetative parameters measured at neonatal (n = 30) and random sites (n = 30). However, neonatal sites were about 2X farther (P = 0.032) than random sites from cut/regeneration habitat where no neonatal site occurred. Most neonatal sites (> 63%) were located in pole or saw timber stands comprised of mixed or coniferous habitat (> 75%); conifers were the dominant canopy species at 67% of neonatal sites. Characteristics related to forage availability suggest that forage resources were probably not influential in location of neonatal habitat. Mature, mixed, and coniferous habitats may provide microhabitat that helps conceal neonates from potential predators such as black bears (Ursus americana), particularly in the absence of islands and open water that are believed to mitigate predation
HABITAT-BASED ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AT MOUNT HAGGIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
No full textThe 22,743-hectare Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area was purchased in 1976, in part for moose (Alces alces) winter range. Observed moose populations climbed from a low of 7 in 1976 to a high of 56 in 2000. A 4-step management program was initiated in 2000 consisting of definition of management objective, monitoring to determien if the objective was attained, developing a management strategy, and implementing the strategy. The management objective for browse was defined to be: browsing will not prevent young plants from attaining their potential stature, their growth being primarily limited by local environmental conditions. A survey of Geyer willow (Salix geyeriana) in critical moose habitat indicated that browse plants were 100% intensely browsed, suggesting that browsing could prevent willow height growth. Beginning in 2000, willow trend was monitored annually at 4 sites using an index based on the height of the tallest live stem and the height of the tallest, dead intensely browsed stem (LD Index). Low LD Index values indicated that browsing did prevent height growth. In 2000 moose harvest quotas were increased by 40%; in 2002 harvest quotas were increased an additional 7%. From 2000 to 2002, willow growth increased at all 4 locations. From 2002 to 2004, growth indicators changed relatively little at Sullivan Creek, Deep Creek, and French Creek; at these sites willow condition in 2004 had improved compared to willow condition in 2000. From 2002 to 2004, growth indicators declined markedly at American Creek; in 2004, growth indicators at American Creek were lower compared to measurements made in 2000. The improvement of willow condition at 3 sites was likely due to a combination of reduced moose numbers (due to an increase in harvest) and increased dispersal (due to low snow cover conditions). Over the study period, the sporting public complained of reduced moose sightability; harvest quotas were lowered substantially in 2003
MOOSE HUNTING, FORESTRY, AND WOLVES IN SWEDEN
No full textWe have reviewed Swedish forestry and hunting literature in order to investigate how the management of moose (Alces alces) in Sweden has changed during the 20th century, especially after the re-establishment of the wolf (Canis lupus) in the 1980s. The focus is on the perspective of moose hunters and of the forest industry since these are the two main factors in control of the size of the Swedish moose population. At about the same time as the Swedish moose population was reaching its all time high, there were reports that wolves were being spotted again in the country. Up to the first half of the 19th century, wolves were relatively abundant in Sweden. However, intense hunting led to their drastic decrease, so that in the beginning of the last century only a small number remained. As a result of being virtually extinct, the wolf was thus declared protected in 1965. Currently, the Scandinavian (i.e., the Swedish and Norwegian) wolf population has grown to a size of about 100 individuals. This might not sound like much in a relatively large country like Sweden but in areas where hunters already have had their culling ratio for moose decreased by the forest companies to minimize forest damage, the establishment of a single wolf pack has proven to be 'the final straw.' Thus, there are instances where hunters have gone on 'strike'; i.e., refusing to search for animals injured in traffic, as protest to this state of affairs. There are few instances (to our knowledge) where the forest companies have shown any increased interest in the 'wolf issue', which might be understandable from a commercial point of view but disastrous when it comes to their relationship with the hunters. We suggest that moose management in areas with wolves should be controlled by special regulations, taking both local and national interests into account and where ownership of the hunting ground should not be the sole consideration
LONG-DISTANCE DISPERSAL AND POPULATION TRENDS OF MOOSE IN THE CENTRAL UNITED STATES
No full textDispersal is a basic feature of the natural history of moose. Most information about moose dispersal pertains to short-distance movements because long-distance movements are uncommon and difficult to observe. Since the 1950s, moose populations have been increasing in Minnesota and North Dakota. This may have contributed to several long-distance dispersal events for moose that recently were reported in the central United States. These dispersal events provide an opportunity to investigate both the causes and the biological implications of this rare phenomenon. Herein, we review long-distance dispersal events based on information obtained from a variety of sources. Dispersal routes that could be measured included two with minimal distances of 1,511 and 367 km, plus several others that were shorter. These dispersal events and recent evidence of moose reproducing outside the current range of the species could be the result of increasing population trends of moose in the central United States. We suggest that the dispersing moose are founder individuals that are dispersing naturally from established populations in search of suitable habitats and mates in areas to the south. We hypothesize that this type of geographic range expansion is similar to that of moose when they dispersed across North America during the early Holocene. As moose continue to move south, wildlife managers should be aware of habitats within their respective states that might sustain populations of moose